Strengthening Food Systems and Governance Across South Asia
SkyQuest was engaged by one of the largest non-profit philanthropies to conduct an institutional landscaping, policy assessment, and strategic planning exercise for SAPLING (South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth). SAPLING is a regional policy platform for transforming food systems to provide access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable diets across South Asia. The project encompassed Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, five countries with shared challenges and opportunities in addressing malnutrition.
The Challenge
Although SAPLING had received early support for regional policy discussions and nutrition-sensitive value chains, its long-term vision, governance, and operational model needed to be reviewed. Among the top priorities were:
- Assessing the present extent and influence of SAPLING.
- Finding opportunities and gaps in the future.
- Putting forward an anchor and governance model.
- Outlining a strategic roadmap for the next three to five years.
Our Approach
- Assessment of Scope & Gaps: Reviewing of SAPLING's mission, structure, activities, and stakeholder engagement.
- Strategic Roadmap: Working with experts to create a shared future vision and timeline.
- Institutional Landscaping: Assessing possible anchor institutions and partnership models to maintain progress.
Key Outcomes
- Clear 3-5 year Strategic Framework for SAPLING.
- Detailed Institutional Assessment Report with hosting and governance options.
- Results-based Logical Framework & Theory of Change.
- Policy-ready model for Nutrition-Sensitive Value Chains and Public-Private Engagement.
- Two high-impact regional dissemination events with expert participation.
SkyQuest's role in driving convergence and innovation showcases how technical expertise can unlock inclusive, climate-resilient growth, thereby setting a benchmark for transforming agriculture at scale through a blended approach of policy alignment, agri-tech, and grassroots implementation.
