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

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

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

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).

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

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

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

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

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

OSP versus other food sources Children 6-35 months

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.

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

Iron Pearl Millet - India A new study found that iron pearl millet was able to reverse iron deficiency in children aged 12-16 years in India within six months

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 2016. 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)

Implementation areas Uganda

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

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

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

Vine distribution to farmers

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

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

PHH and Value addition

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

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

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

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

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”

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

Thank You! www.harvestplus.org