1. Chiedozie Egesi and Paul Ilona
Biofortification: Towards Bridging Agriculture and Nutrition Divides in Nigeria
Chiedozie Egesi and Paul Ilona

2. Micronutrient Malnutrition
Micronutrient malnutrition or the hidden hunger affects about half the world’s population.
Mostly affecting women and preschool children in developing countries.
Despite past progress in controlling micronutrient deficiencies through supplementation and food fortification, new approaches are needed to expand the reach of food-based interventions.

3. The Burden of Micronutrient Deficiency
Susceptibility to common diseases
Poor immune system
Stunting and wasting
Permanent physical impairment
Limited cognitive development

4. Consequences Mineral & Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamin A deficiency
Supplements reduced child mortality by 23%
375,000 children go blind each year
Iron deficiency
Impaired cognitive abilities that cannot be reversed
82% of children < 2 years in India are anemic
The Second Global Conference was held in Kigali earlier this year, during the first week of April.
The first Conference, held in Washington in 2009, was a more scientific community-oriented event and was focused more on crop development and initial field tests.
This second Conference was focused more on discussing the translational aspect – how to take these crops to scale and ensure they reached those most in need – the malnourished and hungry
Over 300 leaders from around the world came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities around bringing biofortification to scale as well as develop a plan of action.
- HERE YOU COULD BOTH RECOGNIZE THE FAO, IFAD AND WFP REPS WHO CAME (SOME SUCH AS BIBI IN THE AUDIENCE; OTHERS FROM IFAD AND FAO BASED IN AFRICA) AND MENTION THINGS LIKE THE FACT THAT FOR 3 AFRICAN COUNTRIES, THE MINISTERS OF BOTH HEALTH AND AG PARTICIPATED!
- You could admit that there were fewer private sector reps than desired, and this might be a point for discussion when you open it up to the floor, i.e., to get ideas for how to take this strategy out to them
Zinc deficiency
increased incidence/severity diarrhea/pneumonia; stunting
2 billion people; 450,000 deaths each year

5. Prevalence of Iron and Vitamin A deficiency in children under 5 years in Nigeria by agro-ecological zone
A repeated study in 2010 indicated the same trend!
Nationwide, 29.5% of children under 5 suffered from vitamin A deficiency
About 26% iron deficiency among children under 5
Nigeria among 10 countries in the world with the largest number of underweight children, with an estimated 6 million children under 5 who are underweight.

6. Biofortification
Biofortification uses conventional plant breeding and modern biotechnology to increase the micronutrient density of staple crops.
It holds great promise for improving the nutritional status and health of poor populations in both rural and urban areas of the developing world.
Spans from genetic crop improvement to research on the impact of biofortified crops on human health

7. What is Biofortification?
Biofortification is the development of nutrient-dense staple crops using the best conventional breeding practices and modern biotechnology, without sacrificing agronomic performance and important consumer-preferred traits
Iron, zinc, calcium, pro-vitamin A carotenoids, folate, amino acids, prebiotics, etc.
clayuca.org
Modified from Nestel et al., 2006 7

8. Biofortification-breeding food crops that are more nutritious
This process is called biofortification. Focus on 3 micronutrients that are most limiting vitamin A, zinc, and iron
HarvestPlus is breeding food crops with higher micronutrient content that will have a measurable impact on nutritional status at the public health level.

9. Biofortification – One Piece of the Puzzle
Commercial
Fortification
Supplementation
Biofortification is part of the puzzle, one strategy that together with others where appropriate can improve nutrition.
While dietary diversity is the ideal solution to under/over nutrition, food systems often fail to provide adequate minerals and vitamins for vulnerable populations due to lack of infrastructure in remote rural locations, lower incomes, lack of access to markets, etc.
My talk will focus (quickly) on why food systems have failed/are failing, and what new approaches we can use to address this – for improvement of both livelihoods and health. That’s what agriculture is/should be all about – making a living and eating for enjoyment and nourishment.
Dietary Diversity
Agricultural
Interventions

10. Biofortification in the Value Chain
On the Plate
In the Crop
In the Factory
Biofortification
Fortification
Supplementation

11. Biofortification in the Value Chain
On the Plate
In the Crop
In the Factory
Biofortification
Diet Diversification
(own-production)
Fertilizers
Fortification
Supplementation
Diet Diversification
(food purchases)
Micronutrient Powders

13. Why Staple crops in Nigeria
Why Staple crops in Nigeria? Calorie production focuses on starchy roots and cereals – despite larger dietary gaps
Source: Herforth 2010, based on FAO data

15. Copenhagen Consensus TOP FIVE SOLUTIONS CHALLENGE
1 Micronutrient supplements for
children (vitamin A and zinc)
Malnutrition
2 The Doha development agenda
Trade
3 Micronutrient fortification
(iron and salt iodization)
4 Expanded immunization
coverage for children
Diseases
5 Biofortification

16. Does Biofortification Work?
Nutrient levels can be increased to high enough levels in high-yielding backgrounds
The extra nutrients are absorbed at sufficient levels that micronutrient status is improved
Encouraging evidence that farmers will adopt and consumers buy/eat in sufficient quantities
Biofortification is being mainstreamed

17. Nutrient Concentration in Staple Crops can be Increased through Plant Breeding2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Percent N
4851
Mean
3.92
Std Deviation
1.20
2008
Normal
0.45
1.05
1.65
2.25
2.85
3.45
4.05
4.65
5.25
5.85
6.45
7.05
7.65
1819
5.69
1.21
2009
Fe (mg/kg)
4667
3.20
1.26
2007
Fedearroz 50
IR - 64
Baseline
Courtesy: César Martínez, CIAT

18. #1 Breeding can increase nutrient levels to nutrition target levels in high-yielding crops

19. Release Dates for Crops for Africa & Asia
2007
2011
2012
2012
Sweetpotato
Vitamin A
Uganda
Cassava
Vitamin A
Nigeria & DRC
Beans
Iron
Rwanda & DRC
Maize
Vitamin A
Zambia
2013
2012
on breeding nutritious varieties of staple food crops eaten by the word’s poor that have more vitamins and minerals…both in Africa
By pushing the limits in reducing time-to-market biofortified crops were released …
Prior to release, these varieties were tested along with non-biofortified candidates had to demonstrate competitive performance
Breeding zinc wheat assumed full operational scale – capacity building
2013
2013
Rice
Zinc
Bangladesh
Wheat
Zinc
India | Pakistan 2015
Pearl Millet Iron
India

20. Launching of Pro-vitamin A Cassava Varieties 16th March 2012

21. Present Reach of Biofortification
- This slide gives a better visual depiction of the breakdown of which crops are where, both released varieties and those undergoing trials.

22. #2 In nutrition efficacy trials, biofortified
varieties improve micronutrient status
Question 2
Photo: Harriet Nsubuga

23. Human Nutrition Efficacy Trials
Fourteen Efficacy Trials either completed or in process
High iron crops +
Meta-analysis completed for beans and pearl millet
High pro-vitamin A crops 
Multiple efficacy trials completed for sweetpotato, maize, and cassava
High zinc crops
Bioavailability studies positive, efficacy trials in the field

24. Nutrition Impacts
Efficacy trials with iron biofortified crops have also shown improved functional outcomes:
Improved cognitive function
Better work performance
Biofortified crops, as consumed, provide an extra 40% of estimated average requirement each day – substituting one-for-one the biofortified variety for the existing non-biofortified variety.

25. Daily Requirement for Adult Women = 12 mg Zn/day
Percent of Estimated Average Requirement:
Example of Bangladesh Zinc
Daily Requirement for Adult Women = 12 mg Zn/day
Non-Biofortified Rice Varieties
400 grams milled rice x 15 mg Zn/kg = mg Zn/day
Released Biofortified Rice Varieties (+25% of EAR)
400 grams milled rice x 22 mg Zn/kg = mg Zn/day
Future Biofortified Rice Varieties (+50% of EAR)
400 grams milled rice x 30 mg Zn/kg = mg Zn/day

26. Photo: Hugo de Groote
#3 Mounting evidence that farmers will adopt biofortified crops and consumers will eat them

27. Orange Sweet Potato
Vitamin A-rich orange sweet potato (OSP) was released to 24,000 households in Mozambique and Uganda from
Findings from the project have shown high rates of adoption and consumption, resulting in increased vitamin A intakes among women and children
Distribution of OSP has been scaled-up in Uganda by HarvestPlus to reach 225,000 households by 2016
Photo: HarvestPlus

28. Impact on vitamin A intakes

29. Target Countries and Crops
HERE IS WHERE WE ARE MAKING THESE NUTRIENT-RICH FOODS ACCESSIBLE TO FARMERS AND CONSUMERS; plans for Ethiopia.
HarvestPlus is initially focusing on release and deployment of seven biofortified crops in nine target countries in Africa and Asia
(NO NEED TO CITE THE CROPS – LET THEM READ)
More than 2 million households have been reached in these countries, with crops that are high-yielding, disease and pest resistant, and also adapted for climate change. By 2018 that number will rise to at least 10 million households.
The ‘plus’ is that biofortified crops are also high in essential nutrients, in keeping with specific dietary needs and existing consumption patterns of women and children. Several efficacy trials have established that biofortified crops do improve mineral and vitamin status among these populations.
We commissioned a comprehensive gender assessment last year to ensure our field work is gender sensitive. Recommendations are now being implemented.
More than 2 million farming households reached by HarvestPlus Crops released are high-yielding with climate smart traits.

30. Challenges for Phase 3 (2014-18)
Scale up Delivery in Target Countries
9 target countries (adding Ethiopia)
Develop specific deployment strategies
Establish in-country staff/office
Establish networks of collaborators and stakeholders
New releases from breeding pipeline
Measure cost-effective impact

31. Challenges for Phase 3 (2014-18)
Mainstream Breeding
Make breeding for minerals and vitamins “core” breeding objectives at CGIAR Centers and NARS
Develop markers
Lower costs of breeding
All elite breeding lines should have the relevant genes that convey the high mineral and vitamin traits; any cross will contain these genes
Additional Efficacy Evidence
1,000 Days – mothers pre-pregnancy and infants

32. Mainstreaming Through Key Stakeholders
Seed companies (Nirmal in India)
International financial institutions (World Bank, IFAD)
Multi-lateral agencies (World Food Program, Codex)
National governments (Brazil, China, India)
Regional frameworks (African Union)
International NGOs (World Vision)

33. Second Global Conference on Biofortification
Kigali, Rwanda: March 30 - April 2, 2014
300+ leaders from more than 40 countries
Purpose:
How to Bring Biofortification to Scale: Translating evidence into wide-scale adoption and reach
Discussion of gaps and challenges, opportunities and solutions, and developing a plan of action
The Second Global Conference was held in Kigali earlier this year, during the first week of April.
The first Conference, held in Washington in 2009, was a more scientific community-oriented event and was focused more on crop development and initial field tests.
This second Conference was focused more on discussing the translational aspect – how to take these crops to scale and ensure they reached those most in need – the malnourished and hungry
Over 300 leaders from around the world came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities around bringing biofortification to scale as well as develop a plan of action.

34. Endorsements for the Kigali Declaration
THIS UNDERSCORES POINT #1 – RECOGNITION BY A GROWING NUMBER OF GOVERNMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING MALNUTRITION
- The Kigali Declaration on Biofortified Nutritious Foods is a Call to Action developed by conference attendees.
The Declaration outlines sector-specific actions as identified by Conference participants and also recognizes the need for collaboration in order to achieve maximum impact
Endorsements from:
Gates Foundation
BRAC
CGIAR
Community for Zero Hunger
DFID
GAIN
Nigeria
Rwanda
ICTA (Guatemala) – Institute of Science and Agricultural Technology
Guatemala Ministry of Health
MSSRF
National Planning Authority Uganda
NEPAD
A4NH
Uganda Vision 2040
World Vision

35. Engagement of Policy Makers for Biofortification
Nigeria now recognizes Biofortification as a sustainable intervention strategy to manage micronutrients deficiencies.

36. Nominated in Best Movie Category at 2015 Africa Movie Viewers’ Choice Awards

37. Agriculture-Nutrition Links
Own production vs Food consumption
Source: Anna Herforth and Jody Harris (2013)

38. Mainstreaming Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture
What we must do NOW!
A high profile advocacy effort to raise the profile of nutrition sensitive agriculture and shape agricultural policy efforts that would enhance nutrition in Nigeria.
Create a shared understanding and engage international expertise and best practices on nutrition transformative agricultural policies and programmes.
Launch a set of finalized policy instruments towards entrenching nutrition in agriculture in Nigeria.
Mobilize critical stakeholders around the policy instruments to catalyze investment, resources and support around key priorities.
Provide a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder platform to promote relevant initiatives towards mainstreaming nutrition into agriculture in Nigeria.

39. Key Elements of Nutrition Policy Development
Adapting a Nutrition – Agriculture Policy that fits the socio-cultural context of Nigeria.
Consistent support for the implementation and mainstreaming of Nutrition into Agriculture in Nigeria.
Motivating investments for evidence to promote policy and programmatic priorities for nutrition sensitive agriculture.
Innovative models for addressing key challenges including financing in mainstreaming nutrition into agriculture.
Actions to support the role of the private sector in improving access to and consumption of nutritious foods.