Context

GAIN and the World Food Programme were exploring rice fortification as a vehicle to address malnutrition in Nigeria under the Promoting Rice Fortification in Nigeria project. Before moving to implementation, a rigorous landscape and feasibility assessment was needed to understand the stakeholder environment, market dynamics and technical readiness.

Challenge

The work required mapping a complex and fragmented rice sector from production through milling, distribution and trading, while assessing the technical feasibility of fortification across different approaches. Translating industry realities into actionable policy and technical recommendations added further complexity.

Approach

We conducted rapid stakeholder mapping followed by full stakeholder identification and classification, collating perspectives on rice fortification across the sector. We then developed a process map and value chain analysis of the fortification process.

We carried out industry and market analysis covering demand and supply dynamics across the Nigerian rice sector, with emphasis on milling, distribution and key value drivers. We assessed three primary determinants of technical feasibility, evaluating process flows and value mapping for each envisaged approach, and modelled the relative prospects of the recommended options for voluntary fortification. We then reviewed the policy context and produced targeted recommendations.

Outcome

The engagement delivered a comprehensive landscape assessment and technical feasibility report, giving GAIN and the World Food Programme an evidence base to advance rice fortification policy in Nigeria. Outputs included a stakeholder map, market analysis, technical feasibility model and policy recommendations.

Sustainability

The findings informed implementation planning for the Promoting Rice Fortification in Nigeria project and provided a replicable methodology for landscape and feasibility assessments in comparable fortification contexts.