1. Promoting Nutritious Diverse Diets using Biofortified Crops
Africa Day of Food and Nutrition Security
28-30th October 2015
By Sylvia Magezi & Anna Marie Ball

2. Outline of presentation
Introduction
The Evidence from efficacy studies
The Uganda HarvestPlus program

3. HarvestPlus
HarvestPlus leads a global effort to address micronutrient malnutrition using biofortified staples rich in vitamins and minerals
Supports breeding of biofortified crops through partnerships with other CG centres and NARS
Support delivery/dissemination through various mechanisms in different countries

4. Global Micronutrient Deficiency
But despite this, HH remains a huge problem! There is still too much red. Why? Interventions are clearly not reaching the poor-those who suffer most
This map details worldwide severity of the most common micronutrient deficiencies—vitamin A, anemia, and zinc—using World Health Organization (WHO) children under 5 prevalence data. Severity was coded using a 3-point weighting system based on levels of public health significance cut-offs (low, moderate, and high).

5. Boifortified Crops for Africa
2012
2012
2007
20112
Sweet Potatoes
Vitamin A
Uganda
Rwanda
Cassava
Vitamin A
Nigeria DR Congo
Beans
Iron (Zinc)
Rwanda DR Congo
Maize
Vitamin A
Nigeria
Zambia
on breeding nutritious varieties of staple food crops eaten by the word’s poor that have more vitamins and minerals…both in Africa

6. Biofortified Crops for Asia
20122
20132
20132
Pearl Millet
Iron (Zinc)
India
Rice
Zinc
Bangladesh India
Wheat
Zinc
India Pakistan
and in Asia..

7. Other Crops Biofortified crops released in 33 countries
22 in Africa, 7 in LAC, 4 in Asia
In-testing in 45 countries
26 in Africa, 10 in LAC, 8 in Asia, 1 in Middle East
Potato
Iron
Lentil
Iron, Zinc
Sorghum
Iron, Zinc
Banana/Plantain
Vitamin A
Cowpea
Iron, Zinc

8. The Evidence Crops tested for micronutrient content
Nutrition studies are done to ascertain the bioavailability
Biofortified crops do impact significantly on micronutrient status:
Orange sweet potatoes (OSP) on vitamin A status
High iron beans and pearl millet on iron status or adolescent girls
Implies great potential where complementary biofortified crops are used togethere.g OSP and iron beans

9. Impact of OSP on mean vitamin A intake
µg Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE)/day
Had intervention and control communities
Study communities got OSP vines to grow and trained on agronomy and nutrition
After 2 years vitamin A intakes and retinol were compared
Significant increase in vitamin A intakes for both children and women in OSP communities
Children deficient at baseline, had significant increase of blood retinol

10. OSP versus other food sources
Children 6-35 months

11. Vitamin A OSP Reduces Diarrhea - Moz
Eating orange sweet potato (OSP) reduces the incidence and duration of diarrhea in children.
For children < 3 likelihood of developing diarrhea was reduced by more than 50% and duration of diarrhea reduced by more than 25%.
For children < 5 likelihood of developing diarrhea was reduced by more than 40% and duration of diarrhea reduced by more than 10%.
Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of death in children < 5 in developing countries.

12. Iron Bean trial in Rwanda
116 female students were fed on high iron beans and compared to 118 females of the control group
Changes in iron status for both groups were compared
Significant changes hemoglobin and ferritin were found for group that fed on iron beans

13. Iron Pearl Millet - India
A new study found that iron pearl millet was able to reverse iron deficiency in children aged years in India within six months

14. Uganda HarvestPlus Program
Goal: Reducing micronutrient malnutrition and improve dietary intakes of vitamin A and iron for 286,000Hhs in 23 districts in Uganda by Purpose: Increasing the production & consumption of Orange Sweet Potato (OSP) and High Iron beans (HIB) in project area –
(Over 60% of the farmers are women)

15. Implementation areas Uganda

16. Uganda – HarvestPlus program
Supports breeding and multiplication of seed
Enhances production of OSP and Iron beans
Strengthens recommended feeding practices
Creates awareness on nutrition benefits to stimulate further adoption
Conducts advocacy activities to encourage uptake other organizations
Develops market linkages and business support services

17. Participatory Research with NARO
ON FARM TRIALS
Orange Sweet Potato
On farm trials including palatability tests
Iron Beans
39 on farm trials for 5 preleased varieties

18. Disseminating clean planting material
Tissue cultures vines are multiplied and given to community seed producers to multiply further and give to farmers

19. Vine distribution to farmers

20. Nutrition training with cooking demos
Create awareness on the nutrition benefits of biofortified crops
Demonstrate appropriate preparation and feeding practices

21. Communication Channels
National and District Radio /Exhibitions
Field days
Community Drama
Community Nutrition
For different audiences Leaders/Politicians Stakeholders – NGOs Farmers
Addresses barriers,
and socio cultural factors
-Facilitates model farmers &
champions to promote the crops

22. PHH and Value addition

23. Supporting marketing Link farmers and markets
Sensitize traders on nutritional importance
Train farmers in FaaB

24. Reaching the wider audience
Exhibitions targeting institutions promoting food security, schools; policy makers;

25. Working with Health centers
Engaging health workers in the project area
-250 VHTs trained and -35 Sub county and district nutrition committees supported

26. Working with Schools
Establishing OSP gardens in primary and secondary schools encouraging sale of tubers & beans

27. Nalweyiso and her children
“Before we started eating OSP and iron beans our children frequently fell sick, but when we started eating these crops our children’s health has improved greatly”

28. Donors and Partners
This work has been made possible because of the support from - USAID and Gates Foundation And with partners: World Vision, Samaritan’s Purse, Africa 2000 Network, VEDCO, CEDO, Caritas, Healthy Child Uganda, COVOID

29. Thank You!