DELIVERING FOR NUTRITION IN SOUTH ASIA: TOWARDS IMPACT AT SCALE – AGENDA – DAY 1
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Time: 9:00-9:30 (Nepal time) | Venue: Bagmati Ballroom
CONFERENCE OPENING
Zoom Link: Pending
Chair
Purnima Menon, Senior Director for Food and Nutrition, IFPRI/CGIAR
Remarks from Distinguished Guests
Conference Overview
Closing Remarks by Chair
Time: 9:30-10:30 (Nepal time) | Venue: Bagmati Ballroom
PLENARY: SCALING POLICY PANEL
Zoom Link: Pending
Moderator
Pooja Pandey, Country Director – Bangladesh & Nepal, Helen Keller Intl
Panel Discussion
Sudip Pokhrel, Country Representative for Nepal, Eleanor Crook Foundation
Neena Joshi, Senior Vice President, Heifer International Asia
Q&A
Time: 10:30-11:00 (Nepal time)
Tea & Group Photo
Parallel Thematic Sessions
Time: 11:00-12:3o (Nepal Time) | Venue: Bagmati Ballroom
Thematic Session 1a: Integrating Plant and Animal Solutions: Towards Healthy, Sustainable Diets
Zoom Link: Pending
Co-Chairs
Opening remarks by co-chairs
Inge Brouwer, Director – Better Diets and Nutrition Science Program, CGIAR
Oral presentations
Innovative Financing for Livestock in Bangladesh
Alan de Brauw, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute
Strategies to Identify and Overcome Barriers to Milk Consumption among Vulnerable Household Members in Rural Nepal
Milan Dhakal, Consultant, Heifer International Nepal
Scientific Animations for Lentil Production Intervention
Namita Nepal, Owner, Prachiti Agriculture and Research Centre Private Limited
Scaling Pollinator Stewardship: Pathway to Improve Nutrition, Biodiversity, and Livelihoods in Nepal
Sujan Sapkota, Programme Manager, HERD International
Adoption Gaps and Implications for Scaling Climate-Resilient and Biofortified Rice: Panel Evidence from Climate-Prone Areas of Bangladesh
Taznoore Samina Khanam, Research Fellow, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
Enhancing Micronutrient Content of Animal Source Foods through Feed: Opportunities, Risks, and the Road Ahead
Wanjiku Gichohi, International Livestock Research Institute
Q&A
Closing remarks by Chair
Time: 11:00-12:30 (Nepal Time) | Venue: Koshi Hall
Thematic Session 1b: Micronutrient Deficiencies: Prevention, Treatment & Policy Levers
Zoom Link: Pending
Chair
Opening remarks by co-chairs
Barnali Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, North South University & Phuong Nguyen, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute
Oral presentations
Bridging Data and Action: The T4 (Test, Treat, Track, Talk) Mobile App for Evidence-Driven Implementation of Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB)
Nitish Khanna, Senior Research Analyst, Institute of Economic Growth
Scaling Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) in Nepal: A Multi-Stakeholder Policy, Implementation Research, and Practice Journey
Sasmita Poudel, Senior Research Manager, Helen Keller Intl
Integrating Private Schools into India’s Weekly Iron–Folic Acid Supplementation Program: Expanding Reach, Amplifying Impact
Sunil Kumar Maurya, Senior Manager – Health & Nutrition Programs, Evidence Action Inc.
Impact of Supplementation with Fortified Balanced Energy–Protein during Pregnancy on Birth Outcomes: A Randomized Trial among Pregnant Women in Nepal
Tsering Pema Lama, Director, Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project Sarlahi, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Roll Out of Micronutrient Powder (Sprinkles) for Children 6–23 Months in Bhutan
Ugyen Wangmo, Program Officer/Dietitian, Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan
Q&A
Closing remarks by co-chairs
Time: 12:30-13:30 (Nepal time) | Venue: TBC
Lunch
Parallel Thematic Sessions
Time: 13:30-15:00 (Nepal time) | Venue: Bagmati Ballroom
Thematic Session 2a: Data Systems at Scale: Strengthening Infrastructure, Quality & Use
Zoom Link: Pending
Co-Chairs
Opening remarks by co-chairs
Oral Presentations
Potential of a High-Frequency Price Monitoring Tool to Track the Cost of Healthy Diets Over Time: A Case Study from Rural Bihar, India
Anjali Purushotham, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Sheffield
Revolutionizing Child Nutrition: A Predictive ML Model for Last-Mile Public Health Delivery
Dhivya Sivaramakrishnan, Delivery Lead, Asia, Dimagi
Community-Led Nutrition Monitoring in Meghalaya: A Scalable Model for Locally Rooted, Gender-Responsive Data Systems
La In Shap Phanwar, Programme Manager (Nutrition), Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission
Information Asymmetry in Perishable Food Markets: The Role of Principal–Agent Dynamics and Behavioral Market Failures
Rakib Hossain, PhD Fellow, Khulna University
Measuring Inequalities in Co-Coverage of Multi-Sector Nutrition Interventions: Findings from Bangladesh’s One Nutrition Coverage Survey
Swetha Manohar, Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute
Afghanistan’s Community Nutrition Sentinel Sites (CNSS): A Model for Crisis-Responsive Surveillance
Said M. Yaqoob Azimi, IM Specialist, UNICEF
Q&A
Closing remarks by co-chairs
Time: 13:30-15:00 (Nepal time) | Venue: Koshi Hall
Thematic Session 2b: Synergistic Solutions: Integrated interventions for nutrition & beyond
Zoom Link: Pending
Co-Chairs
Kamala KC, Social Sector Advisor, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) & Yamuna Ghale, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Integrated Development Studies
Opening remarks by co-chairs
Oral presentations
Blending Community Approach Total Sanitation (CATS) and Market Systems for Nutrition: A Community-Led WASH Intervention in Rural Bangladesh
Ariful Islam, Program Manager, iDE Bangladesh
Effects of egg consumption and psychosocial stimulation on cognitive outcomes of young children in resource-poor settings in Bangladesh
Gulshan Ara, Associate Scientist, icddr,b
Empowering Adolescents for Better Health: A Multi-Component Programme in Ahmedabad’s Urban Slums, India
Hetvi Shah, Program Coordinator (Nutrition Specialist), Centre for Health, Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness (CHETNA)
Designing Adaptive Nutrition Programs: Stage-Based Evaluation of an Intersectoral Intervention through Iterative Theory of Change
Sidra Bashir, Program Manager, Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP)
Leveraging Women Collectives for Improved Child Nutrition: Early Evidence from a Longitudinal Study in Bihar, India
Sudipta Mondal, Sr. Director – Research and Organisation Effectiveness, Project Concern International
Q&A
Closing remarks by co-chairs
Time: 15:00-15:30 (Nepal time) | Venue: TBD
Tea Break
Time: 15:30-16:30 (Nepal time) | Venue: Bagmati Ballroom
Plenary Session II: Research Reflections
Suneetha Kadiyala, Professor of Global Nutrition, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Zoom Link: Pending
Q&A
Time: 16:30-16:45 (Nepal time) | Venue: Bagmati Ballroom
Poster Pitches 1: Agrifood & Education Systems
Project NutriPathshala – Locally Grown Iron Pearl Millet for School Meals
Mahesh Chhagan Londhe, Founder, AgroZee Organics Pvt Ltd – India
Millets in the Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Can They Improve Nutrition Outcomes at Scale? Evidence from Hyderabad, Bangalore
Gummadi Sridevi, Professor, School of Economics, University of Hyderabad – India
Evaluation of the National School Feeding Program’s Impact on Educational Outcomes and Community Engagement in Rural Bangladesh
Md. Fajlay Rabbi, Assistant Professor, Khulna University
Scaling Appayon Community Kitchen: Sustainable, Dignified Food Security Implementation in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Minhaz Uddin Shibly, Assistant Manager, Partnerships & Grants, OBHIZATRIK Foundation
Food Security in the Indo-Gangetic Basin: An Integrated Methodological Approach to Determine Food Security and Environmental Conservation
Vartika Singh, Senior Research Analyst, International Food Policy Research Institute
From Farm to Nutrition: Connecting the Dots Between Dimensions of Food Security and Nutrition Security in India
Anjali Sharma, Ph.D. Scholar, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Multi-sectoral Interventions with Benefits for Climate Change and Nutrition in South Asia: A Regional Analysis from a Global Evidence and Gap Map
Prajjwal Dhungana, Research Consultant, Micronutrient Forum – South Asia region
Development of a Nutrient-Dense, Cost-Effective Fermented Nut Spread to Enhance Protein Intake Among Low-Income Populations in Sri Lanka
Hiruni Kavindya Batugedara, Fresh Graduate, University of Peradeniya
Development, Nutritional Evaluation, and Storage Stability of Ragi–Soy Complementary Food Enriched with Mango Powder
Bushra Shaida, Assistant Professor, Dept of Food Technology
Salt Consumption Story in 40+ Adults: Results from a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approach-Based Community Intervention
Ali Ahsan, Research Coordinator, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University
Transforming Hygiene Practice, Food Safety & Quality in Dhaka’s Traditional Food Markets
G.M. Reza Sumon, Project Manager, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
Parallel Learning Labs
Time: 17:00-18:15 (Nepal time) | Venue: Bagmati Ballroom
Side Event 1a: Scaling Social Capital for Nutrition Equity: Insights from Heifer Nepal’s SLVC Projects
Host: Heifer International
Zoom link: Pending
Learning objectives:
- Share evidence-based strategies from SLVC projects that improve nutrition outcomes through agri-food systems
- Highlight the role of social capital and cooperative governance in scaling impact
- Facilitate dialogue on enabling environments, policy, financing, and partnerships for systemic change
Engage regional stakeholders in co-creating scalable, locally rooted solutions
No. of participants: 40-50
Target Audience:Government and policymakers, development practitioners and NGOs, private sector actors, donors and multilateral agencies, academic and research institutions, cooperatives, and women entrepreneurs
Level: This intermediate-level session is intended for participants with a basic understanding of agri-food systems and development concepts such as nutrition equity, social capital, and community-led development, enabling meaningful engagement in interactive, solution-oriented discussions on scaling impact through collaboration.
Mode: Hybrid
Time: 17:00-18:15 (Nepal time) | Venue: Koshi Hall
Side Event 1b: Achieving impact at scale to improve nutrition in South Asia: learnings from consumer-centric approaches
Host: International Food Policy Research Institute
Zoom link: Pending
Learning objectives:
- Create awareness on the importance of diets and food system transformation for nutrition
Create awareness for the value of a consumer-centric approach as an entry point for food systems transformation that could deliver better diets and nutrition. - Showcase two distinct approaches towards better diets and nutrition. One which focuses on the whole diet through a policy pathways and market systems perspective, and the other that takes an end-to-end approach, using value chain of vegetables to influence policies in general to improve the whole diet.
- Foster interest and commitment for conference participants to engage in the food systems agenda in their country/regional contexts using their own unique viewpoints.
No. of participants: 50-75
Expected attendees: Researchers, practitioners, policymakers
Level: Intermediate
Mode: Hybrid
Time: 17:00-18:15 (Nepal time) | Venue: Karnali Hall
Learning Lab 1c: Leveraging multi-stakeholder co-design approaches to develop scalable nutrition interventions
Host: GAIN, IFPRI, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Zoom Link: Pending
Learning objectives:
- Understand the fundamental principles of co-design
- Gain practical insight into the applications of co-design for nutrition interventions in South Asia
- Learn about methods and tools for triangulating diverse sources of data in co-design processes
- Explore best practices for using co-design to balance scalability with localized constraints
No. of participants: 40-80
Target Audience:The target audience for this session includes intervention practitioners, frontline programme delivery personnel, programme designers, and policymakers at national, sub-national, and local levels in South Asian contexts. The Learning Lab will meet the needs of participants by enhancing their knowledge regarding co-design, giving them exposure to practical tools, and enabling them to explore techniques for navigating complex trade-offs.
Level: This session is intended for Intermediate level participants. While the content will be accessible and inclusive for participants of diverse backgrounds and areas of technical expertise, we feel that a basic understanding of intervention design and implementation processes would be vital for attaining the full learning benefits of the session.
Mode: Hybrid
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