A Methodological Framework for Evaluating School-Based Nutrition Interventions Integrating Indigenous Food Crops to Mitigate Childhood Stunting in Madagascar, 2021–2026

This methodology article presents a comprehensive framework for evaluating the effectiveness of school-based nutrition interventions that integrate indigenous food crops to mitigate childhood stunting in Madagascar. The persistent high prevalence of stunting, despite national efforts, necessitates context-specific strategies that leverage local agrobiodiversity. Developed and piloted between 2021 and 2026, the proposed mixed-methods framework employs a quasi-experimental, longitudinal design, comparing intervention schools with matched control sites. It is designed to assess programmes across agricultural, nutritional, and educational domains. Quantitative measures include longitudinal anthropometric tracking of children, crop yield analysis, and household dietary diversity scores. These are integrated with qualitative assessments, including focus group discussions with caregivers, farmers, and educators, to capture socio-cultural acceptance, processual barriers, and implementation fidelity. Preliminary application demonstrates the framework's utility in identifying critical success factors—such as community seed bank functionality—and systemic barriers, including seasonal food availability. Its rigour is enhanced by a structured, theory-informed logic model that explicitly links intervention activities to measurable outcomes. The framework offers an actionable, culturally-grounded model for policymakers and practitioners, prioritising indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable food sovereignty. It thus provides a replicable tool for designing and rigorously evaluating nutrition-sensitive programmes that are both evidence-based and contextually relevant, supporting a sustainable pathway to improved child health outcomes across the African continent.