The role of biofortification as part of more diverse diets in Africa: Progress, challenges, and opportunities

Over the past 15 years, conventional breeding efforts have resulted in varieties of several staple food crops with significant levels of the three micronutrients whose deficiency can be most limiting to humans: zinc, iron, and vitamin A. Evidence from nutrition research has revealed that these varie...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Birol, Ekin, Saltzman, Amy, Ball, Anna-Marie, Boy, Erick, Mudyahoto, Bho, Simpungwe, Eliab, Ubomba-Jaswa, Acanda, Zeller, Manfred
Formato: Capítulo de libro
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Food Policy Research Institute 2016
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/148487
Descripción
Sumario:Over the past 15 years, conventional breeding efforts have resulted in varieties of several staple food crops with significant levels of the three micronutrients whose deficiency can be most limiting to humans: zinc, iron, and vitamin A. Evidence from nutrition research has revealed that these varieties provide considerable amounts of bioavailable micronutrients, and consumption of them can mitigate micronutrient deficiency and hence improve health status among target populations. Termed “biofortification,” the development and delivery of these micronutrient-rich varieties could reduce hidden hunger, especially among rural populations whose diets rely on staple food crops.