Biofortification in Ethiopia: Opportunities and challenges

Children younger than 5 years and women of reproductive age often suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Biofortification, which involves enriching staple crops with micronutrients, is a nutritional intervention focused on addressing micronutrient deficiencies. It is equitable, sustainable, and cos...

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Autores principales: Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane, Genye, Tirsit, Girma, Meron, Samuel, Aregash, Warner, James, van Zyl, Cornelia
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: SAGE Publications 2023
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/140383
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author Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane
Genye, Tirsit
Girma, Meron
Samuel, Aregash
Warner, James
van Zyl, Cornelia
author_browse Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane
Genye, Tirsit
Girma, Meron
Samuel, Aregash
Warner, James
van Zyl, Cornelia
author_facet Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane
Genye, Tirsit
Girma, Meron
Samuel, Aregash
Warner, James
van Zyl, Cornelia
author_sort Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Children younger than 5 years and women of reproductive age often suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Biofortification, which involves enriching staple crops with micronutrients, is a nutritional intervention focused on addressing micronutrient deficiencies. It is equitable, sustainable, and costs less than other nutritional interventions.This study investigates biofortification in Ethiopia, considering 6 globally biofortified crops, 5 of which are currently being biofortified in Ethiopia. However, only 2 of these crops are important in the consumption baskets of most Ethiopians. Therefore, efforts to mainstream biofortification should begin with studies to identify crops that have larger impacts in reducing local micronutrient deficiencies and their cost-effectiveness.Literature was searched between July and December 2021 using Google Scholar to provide insights into the state of biofortification in Ethiopia. Key-informant interviews were conducted to gain insights into the state of biofortification in Ethiopia and to identify bottlenecks for scaling up the production and consumption of biofortified foods. Furthermore, Annual Agriculture Sample Survey and 2015/16 Ethiopian Household Consumption and Expenditure Survey data were used to describe the area under production of biofortifiable crops and their importance in total consumption, respectively.Mainstreaming biofortification in Ethiopia faces several challenges. Policy documents appear to be inconsistent, regressive, and vague regarding biofortification. Critically, there is no specific institution to oversee and/or coordinate biofortification-related activities.Overall, the success of biofortification depends upon a strong coordination body with clear mandates from detailed policies; adequate funding for research and development; and robust monitoring and evaluation of the identified production, adoption, and consumption issues.
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spelling CGSpace1403832025-12-08T10:11:39Z Biofortification in Ethiopia: Opportunities and challenges Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane Genye, Tirsit Girma, Meron Samuel, Aregash Warner, James van Zyl, Cornelia maternal and child health biofortification child nutrition surveys micronutrient deficiencies women Children younger than 5 years and women of reproductive age often suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Biofortification, which involves enriching staple crops with micronutrients, is a nutritional intervention focused on addressing micronutrient deficiencies. It is equitable, sustainable, and costs less than other nutritional interventions.This study investigates biofortification in Ethiopia, considering 6 globally biofortified crops, 5 of which are currently being biofortified in Ethiopia. However, only 2 of these crops are important in the consumption baskets of most Ethiopians. Therefore, efforts to mainstream biofortification should begin with studies to identify crops that have larger impacts in reducing local micronutrient deficiencies and their cost-effectiveness.Literature was searched between July and December 2021 using Google Scholar to provide insights into the state of biofortification in Ethiopia. Key-informant interviews were conducted to gain insights into the state of biofortification in Ethiopia and to identify bottlenecks for scaling up the production and consumption of biofortified foods. Furthermore, Annual Agriculture Sample Survey and 2015/16 Ethiopian Household Consumption and Expenditure Survey data were used to describe the area under production of biofortifiable crops and their importance in total consumption, respectively.Mainstreaming biofortification in Ethiopia faces several challenges. Policy documents appear to be inconsistent, regressive, and vague regarding biofortification. Critically, there is no specific institution to oversee and/or coordinate biofortification-related activities.Overall, the success of biofortification depends upon a strong coordination body with clear mandates from detailed policies; adequate funding for research and development; and robust monitoring and evaluation of the identified production, adoption, and consumption issues. 2023-09 2024-03-14T12:09:26Z 2024-03-14T12:09:26Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/140383 en Limited Access SAGE Publications Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane; Genye, Tirsit; Girma, Meron; Samuel, Aregash; Warner, James; and van Zyl, Cornelia. Biofortification in Ethiopia: Opportunities and challenges. Food and Nutrition Bulletin 44(3): 151–161. https://doi.org/10.1177/03795721231188913
spellingShingle maternal and child health
biofortification
child nutrition
surveys
micronutrient deficiencies
women
Bachewe, Fantu Nisrane
Genye, Tirsit
Girma, Meron
Samuel, Aregash
Warner, James
van Zyl, Cornelia
Biofortification in Ethiopia: Opportunities and challenges
title Biofortification in Ethiopia: Opportunities and challenges
title_full Biofortification in Ethiopia: Opportunities and challenges
title_fullStr Biofortification in Ethiopia: Opportunities and challenges
title_full_unstemmed Biofortification in Ethiopia: Opportunities and challenges
title_short Biofortification in Ethiopia: Opportunities and challenges
title_sort biofortification in ethiopia opportunities and challenges
topic maternal and child health
biofortification
child nutrition
surveys
micronutrient deficiencies
women
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/140383
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