Hyderabad’s egg value chain: investigating potential influences on childhood stunting

In 2024, stunting affected over 150 million children under five worldwide, with India being one of the countries with the highest prevalence. The links between stunting, animal health and the health of the environment make a multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary approach essential to combatting childhood stunting in affected countries. This study examined the egg value chain in Hyderabad, India, investigating its potential influences on childhood stunting. Semi-structured interviews with ten key informants gathered data on the egg value chain’s spatial, logistical, economic, and social dimensions. The interviews were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. A conceptual framework was developed showcasing the links between food value chains and stunting and used as a lens through which to analyse deductively the qualitative data. Reflexive thematic analysis generated themes encompassing the nutritional quality and food safety of eggs accessed by children, how seasonality affected consumption, and the lack of regulation, which forces actors in the chain to depend on trust. The incorporation of a nutrition-sensitive perspective into the value chain analysis revealed stunting-related opportunities and constraints. These findings offer a basis for dialogue with public and private stakeholders to develop targeted interventions that can support efforts to combat stunting in Hyderabad. Additionally, they underscore the method’s utility in generating a comprehensive understanding of stunting determinants and showcase the potential of value chain interventions in addressing the factors contributing to stunting.