Scientists, policymakers, and other leaders in African agriculture and health will convene in Mombasa on May 4 and 5 for a regional workshop on biofortification--a revolutionary process that holds great potential to enhance the health of poor people. The workshop is co-hosted by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and HarvestPlus, an international research program that seeks to reduce micronutrient malnutrition by harnessing agricultural technology to breed staple crops for better nutrition.
Much of Africa's rural poor can only afford a diet based mostly on staple crops, such as maize, white-fleshed sweet potato, and beans, which are generally low in micronutrients, particularly iron, zinc, and Vitamin A. As a result, more than a third of the population of Sub-Saharan Africa suffers the debilitating effects of micronutrient malnutrition, or diets deficient in essential vitamins and minerals. Diets poor in micronutrients cause illness, blindness, premature death, and impaired mental development, particularly among women and children in developing countries.
Agricultural research has traditionally focused on increasing crop yields, reducing environmental damage, or improving incomes of farmers. Biofortification--breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins and minerals--expands the role of agriculture by using it as a tool for public health. By breeding crops for higher nutrition, food becomes a delivery mechanism for much needed micronutrients.
"Addressing micronutrient malnutrition requires a paradigm shift," said Howarth Bouis, director of HarvestPlus. "Agricultural research needs to move beyond increasing productivity to improving food quality as well. In this way, biofortification can play a critical role in improving health."
Nearly 70 percent of pre-school children in Sub-Saharan Africa are iron deficient--a main cause of anemia--as are large numbers of women. Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of preventable blindness, while zinc deficiency contributes to stunted growth, increased rates and severity of infections, and pregnancy and childbirth complications. The best solution to micronutrient deficiency is a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and meat. For the very poor, however, such choices are simply not possible because they lack the money to purchase nutrient-rich foods.
"Until now, the solution to micronutrient deficiency among the poor has focused on vitamin and mineral supplements, dietary diversity, and commercial food fortification. While these approaches have attained some success, they have not been able to reach all those in need, particularly people in remote rural areas," explained the Hon. Ruth K. Oniang'o, Member of the Parliament of Kenya and professor of food science and nutrition at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. "By targeting staple food crops grown and consumed by the rural poor, biofortification can reach large numbers of people in a cost-effective and sustainable manner, leading to a nutrition revolution for Africa."
During the workshop in Mombasa, participants will discuss the latest research on biofortification and identify strategies to develop biofortified crops in Africa and integrate biofortification into national agricultural and health policy agendas. Workshop participants will include representatives from ministries of agriculture, health, and finance; African regional and sub-regional organizations; national agricultural research services; departments of health; international and local non-governmental organizations; United Nations agencies, and international donors.
"Imagine a new breed of crops capable of alleviating malnutrition in even hard-to-reach rural areas of Africa," said Dr. Bouis. "We are now capable of producing staple crops--such as beans rich in iron and zinc and orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes packed with Vitamin A--that could be grown on family plots throughout the continent, improving the health, well-being, and productivity of millions of Africans."
