Smallholder farming and crop variety choice: Maize variety choice in Zambia

Micronutrient deficiency, especially vitamin A deficiency, is a major problem in developing countries (Aguayo and Baker 2005; Black et al. 2008; Kennedy et al. 2003). Various strategies have been developed to combat vitamin A deficiency, including vitamin A supplementation (in the form of capsules),...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: De Groote, Hugo, Gitonga, Zachary, Smale, Melinda, Asare-Marfo, Dorene, Kasuta, Earnest, Birol, Ekin, Sonder, Kai
Format: Brief
Language:Inglés
Published: International Food Policy Research Institute 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/150169
Description
Summary:Micronutrient deficiency, especially vitamin A deficiency, is a major problem in developing countries (Aguayo and Baker 2005; Black et al. 2008; Kennedy et al. 2003). Various strategies have been developed to combat vitamin A deficiency, including vitamin A supplementation (in the form of capsules), food fortification, and the promotion of household vegetable gardens. In Zambia, where more than half of preschool children are at risk for vitamin A deficiency (Micronutrient Initiative 2009), biannual capsules are provided to children in combination with vaccinations, and sugar is fortified with retinol, the pure form of vitamin A (Fiedler et al. 2013). Unfortunately, rural households are harder to reach with supplementation, and they do not consume many of the fortified processed foods.