CRP A4NH outputs

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/97116

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Sweetpotato as an alternative crop for vegetable growers in Marabá-PA
(Journal Article, 2023) Mello, Alexandre Furtado Silveira; de Souza, Mazilene B; da Silva, Giovani O.; Pedroso, Maria Thereza M.; Santiago, Alailson V.; de Carvalho, José Luiz V.
The north region of Brazil has been experiencing agricultural and urban expansion leading to the need for economic alternatives to reduce deforestation and to increase food supply. One possibility is the cultivation of vegetables that are easily grown such as the sweetpotato. The objective of this work is to assess the performance of sweetpotato genotypes in three different planting seasons in Marabá, Brazil. Sweetpotato genotypes were evaluated using randomized block experimental design and at harvest time the final plant stand and the commercial root production were evaluated. Clone 11 was the most productive one in all planting dates, with commercial yield ranging from 80.4 to 127 t/ha. Canadense also was very productive and among the top yielding genotypes. CIP BRS Nuti’s commercial yield was similar to Beauregard’s in the two initial growing seasons but higher in the third planting cycle. The first season, that had high moisture during harvest time, presented the lowest root quality. However, in general, all cultivars performed well, being good options for growers to produce a food source with high quality and yield in small areas.
Farmers and consumers perceptions and preferences for Yellow Flesh Cassava (YFC) in the central region of Ghana
(Journal Article, 2023-05-19) Adu, Emmanuel Ogyiri; Amenorpe, Godwin; Taah, Kingsley Joseph; Asare, Paul Agu; Parkes, Elizabeth; Labuschagne, Maryke; Kulakow, Peter
Vitamin A deficiency related diseases are a major problem in Sub-Sahara Africa and any staple crop that contains high levels of total carotenoids including β-carotene can be used to combat these challenges. However, there is little or no information on farmers’ and consumers’ perceptions and preferences for yellow flesh cassava varieties that contain high levels of total carotenoids. This study was done to assess the perceptions and preferences of Ghanaian farmers and consumers for yellow flesh cassava varieties. A survey was conducted on cassava farmers and consumers in Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Agona East, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Assin South, and Twifo-Ati-Morkwa, which are the five major cassava-growing districts in the Central region. In all, 600 respondents consisting of 200 farmers and 400 consumers were interviewed using a content validated structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25 and showed that 91.2% of the consumers and 88.8% of the farmers have heard of the yellow flesh cassava and 72% were willing to cultivate it, but lack of planting materials and non-availability of a ready market were their major constraints. Also, the majority of the farmers and consumers recommended that fufu and gari be made from the yellow flesh cassava. It is recommended that breeders should breed for mealy yellow flesh cassava to meet demand. More sensitization is also needed to increase the patronage for yellow flesh cassava.
Optimization of multi-generation multi-location genomic prediction models for recurrent genomic selection in an upland rice population
(Journal Article, 2023-12) de Verdal, Hugues; Baertschi, Cédric; Frouin, Julien; Quintero, Constanza; Ospina, Yolima; Alvarez, Maria Fernanda; Cao, Tuong-Vi; Bartholomé, Jérôme; Grenier, Cécile
Genomic selection is a worthy breeding method to improve genetic gain in recurrent selection breeding schemes. The integration of multi-generation and multi-location information could significantly improve genomic prediction models in the context of shuttle breeding. The Cirad-CIAT upland rice breeding program applies recurrent genomic selection and seeks to optimize the scheme to increase genetic gain while reducing phenotyping efforts. We used a synthetic population (PCT27) of which S0 plants were all genotyped and advanced by selfing and bulk seed harvest to the S0:2, S0:3, and S0:4 generations. The PCT27 was then divided into two sets. The S0:2 and S0:3 progenies for PCT27A and the S0:4 progenies for PCT27B were phenotyped in two locations: Santa Rosa the target selection location, within the upland rice growing area, and Palmira, the surrogate location, far from the upland rice growing area but easier for experimentation. While the calibration used either one of the two sets phenotyped in one or two locations, the validation population was only the PCT27B phenotyped in Santa Rosa. Five scenarios of genomic prediction and 24 models were performed and compared. Training the prediction model with the PCT27B phenotyped in Santa Rosa resulted in predictive abilities ranging from 0.19 for grain zinc concentration to 0.30 for grain yield. Expanding the training set with the inclusion of the PCT27A resulted in greater predictive abilities for all traits but grain yield, with increases from 5% for plant height to 61% for grain zinc concentration. Models with the PCT27B phenotyped in two locations resulted in higher prediction accuracy when the models assumed no genotype-by-environment (G × E) interaction for flowering (0.38) and grain zinc concentration (0.27). For plant height, the model assuming a single G × E variance provided higher accuracy (0.28). The gain in predictive ability for grain yield was the greatest (0.25) when environment-specific variance deviation effect for G × E was considered. While the best scenario was specific to each trait, the results indicated that the gain in predictive ability provided by the multi-location and multi-generation calibration was low. Yet, this approach could lead to increased selection intensity, acceleration of the breeding cycle, and a sizable economic advantage for the program.
A whole system approach to childhood obesity: How a supportive environment was created in the city of Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom
(Journal Article, 2023-08) Salm, Leah; Nisbett, Nicholas; Cuming, Katie; Hrynick, Tabitha; Lulache, Alexandra; MacGregor, Hayley
Childhood obesity is a growing global challenge, and no country has yet reversed the upward trend in prevalence. The causes are multifaceted, spanning individual, societal, environmental, and political spheres. This makes finding solutions complex as traditional linear models of treatment and effect have proven only minimally successful or unfeasible at the population level. There is also a paucity of evidence of what works, and few examples of intervention that operate on a ‘whole systems’ level. The city of Brighton in the United Kingdom has experienced a downward trend in child obesity rates compared to national figures. The aim of this study was to explore what has led to successful change in the city. This was done through a review of local data, policy and programs, and thirteen key informant interviews with key stakeholders involved in the local food and healthy weight agenda. Our findings highlight key mechanisms that have plausibly contributed to a supportive environment for obesity reduction in Brighton according to key local policy and civil society actors. These mechanisms include; a commitment to early years intervention such as breastfeeding promotion; a supportive local political context; the ability to tailor interventions to community needs; governance structures and capacity that enable cross-sectoral collaboration; and a citywide framing of obesity solutions in the context of a ‘whole system’ approach. However, substantial inequalities persist in the city. Engaging families in areas of high deprivation and operating in an increasingly difficult context of national austerity are persistent challenges. This case study sheds light on some mechanisms of what a whole systems approach to obesity looks like in practice in a local context. This is of relevance to both policymakers and healthy weight practitioners across a spectrum of sectors who need to be engaged to tackle child obesity.
Impacts of the joint adoption of improved varieties and chemical fertilizers on rice productivity in Bolivia: implications for Global Food Systems
(Journal Article, 2023) Martinez, Jose Maria; Labarta, Ricardo A.; González, Carolina
Rice research and technology development in Latin America has increased yields and offered the opportunity for several countries to contribute to global food security by becoming net exporters of this cereal. In spite of the broad availability of rice technologies in the region, rice yields remain substantially low in countries like Bolivia. This study examines how Bolivian rice growers make simultaneous decisions about adopting improved varieties and chemical fertilizers and how this joint decision influences the productivity of this crop. By exploiting a nationally representative survey of rice producers, we use a multinomial logit model and an optimal instrumental variable approach to study both the correlates of technology adoption and the impacts of this adoption on rice yields. Our findings suggest that partial adoption of rice varieties or fertilizers does not affect yields, but the joint adoption of these technologies can almost double rice productivity. Promoting packages of agricultural technologies—instead of single technologies within efforts to make these technologies available for small farmers—would exploit the complementarities of different technologies and boost rice yields in Bolivia. The implications would not only be to achieve the desired self-sufficiency in rice production but also to follow similar pathways of other countries in the region that have become net exporters of rice and are contributing to Global Food Systems.
Food insecurity and perceived effects of COVID-19 on livelihoods in rural Sri Lanka
(Journal Article, 2023) Singh, Nishmeet; Scott, Samuel; Kumar, Neha; Ramani, Gayathri; Marshall, Quinn; Sinclair, Kate; Kalupahana, Saman; Fernando, Malika; Silva, Renuka; Perera, Amila; Jayatissa, Renuka; Olney, Deanna
Background: Little is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected food security and livelihoods in Sri Lanka. Objective: This article aims to assess food insecurity, perceived effects of COVID-19, and coping mechanisms among agriculture-based households in rural Sri Lanka. Methods: We used 2 rounds of panel data from phone surveys (n = 1057 households) conducted in 5 districts. Food insecurity (30-day recall), perceived impacts of COVID-19 (6-month recall), and coping mechanisms (6-month recall) were assessed using a household questionnaire. To assess food insecurity, we used the 8-item Food Insecurity Experience Scale. We tested for differences between T1 (baseline: December 2020-February 2021) and T2 (follow-up: July 2021-September 2021) and explored the association between food insecurity and the perceived effect of COVID-19 on income using a logistic regression model. Results: Food insecurity was highly prevalent (T1: 75%, T2: 80%) but varied across districts. Most respondents were affected by COVID-19 and/or COVID-19-associated mitigation measures (T1: 84%, T2: 89%). Among affected households, commonly reported impacts included those on income (T1: 77%, T2: 76%), food costs (T1: 84%, T2: 83%), and travel (∼90% in both rounds). Agricultural activities were also adversely affected (T1: 64%, T2: 69%). About half of COVID-19-affected households reported selling livestock or assets to meet basic needs. Households whose income was impacted by COVID-19 were more likely to be food insecure (adjusted odds ratio: 2.56, P < .001). Conclusions: Households in rural Sri Lanka experienced food insecurity and livelihood disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional surveys are needed to assess recovery post-COVID-19 and to understand if programs that support livelihoods have been protective.
Streamlining micronutrient biomarker statistical analysis in populations: an introduction to the SAMBA R package
(Journal Article, 2023-09) Luo, Hanqi; Beal, Ty; Blake, Tineka; Zeiler, Madeleine; Geng, Jiaxi; Werner, E. Rochelle; Addo, O. Yaw; Suchdev, Parminder; Young, Melissa F.
Micronutrient deficiency is a common global health problem, and accurately assessing micronutrient biomarkers is crucial for planning and managing effective intervention programs. However, analyzing micronutrient data and applying appropriate cutoffs to define deficiencies can be challenging, particularly when considering the confounding effects of inflammation on certain micronutrient biomarkers. To address this challenge, we developed the Statistical Apparatus of Micronutrient Biomarker Analysis (SAMBA) R package, a new tool that increases ease and accessibility of population-based micronutrient biomarker analysis. The SAMBA package can analyze various micronutrient biomarkers to assess status of iron, vitamin A, zinc, and B vitamins, adjust for inflammation, account for complex survey design when appropriate, and produce reports of summary statistics and prevalence estimates of micronutrient deficiencies using recommended age- and sex-specific cutoffs. We have provided a step-by-step procedure for how to use the SAMBA R package, including how to customize it for broader use, and made both the package and user manual publicly available on GitHub. SAMBA was validated by comparing results from analyzing 24 datasets on non-pregnant women of reproductive age from 23 countries and 30 datasets on preschool-age children from 26 countries with those obtained by an independent analyst. SAMBA generated identical means, percentiles, and prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies to those calculated by the independent analyst. In conclusion, SAMBA simplifies and standardizes the process for deriving survey-weighted and inflammation-adjusted (when appropriate) estimates of the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, reducing the time from data cleaning to result generation. SAMBA is a valuable tool that facilitates the accurate and rapid analysis of population-based micronutrient biomarker data, which can inform public health research, programs, and policy across contexts.
Transforming Nigerian food systems through their backbones: Lessons from a decade of staple crop biofortification programing
(Journal Article, 2023-09) Birol, Ekin; Foley, Jennifer; Herrington, Caitlin; Misra, Rewa; Mudyahoto, Bho; Diressie, Michael Tedla; Ilona, Paul
This article presents the evolution of the biofortification program in Nigeria over the last decade and the role of interdisciplinary research in informing cost-effective, efficient, and inclusive development; implementation; and scaling of this program. Launched in 2011 to improve Nigeria’s food systems to deliver accessible and affordable nutrients through commonly consumed staples, the Nigeria biofortification program was implemented through an effective partnership between the CGIAR and public, private, and civil society sectors at federal, state, and local levels. By the end of 2021, several biofortified varieties of Nigeria’s 2 main staples, namely cassava and maize, were officially released for production by smallholders, with several biofortified varieties of other key staples (including pearl millet, rice, and sorghum) either under testing or in the release pipeline. In 2021, the program was estimated to benefit 13 million Nigerians consuming biofortified cassava and maize varieties. The evidence on the nutritional impact, consumer and farmer acceptance, and cost-effective scalability of biofortified crops documented by the program resulted in the integration of biofortified crops in several key national public policies and social protection programs; private seed and food company products/investments, as well as in humanitarian aid.
Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients in Busia County Referral Hospital, Kenya
(Journal Article, 2022) Obanda, Benear Apollo; Cook, Elizabeth; Fèvre, Eric M.; Bebora, Lilly; Ogara, William; Wang, Shu-Hua
Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen associated with hospital, community, and livestock-acquired infections, with the ability to develop resistance to antibiotics. Nasal carriage by hospital inpatients is a risk for opportunistic infections. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns, virulence genes and genetic population structure of S. aureus nasal isolates, from inpatients at Busia County Referral Hospital (BCRH) were analyzed. A total of 263 inpatients were randomly sampled, from May to July 2015. The majority of inpatients (85.9%) were treated empirically with antimicrobials, including ceftriaxone (65.8%) and metronidazole (49.8%). Thirty S. aureus isolates were cultured from 29 inpatients with a prevalence of 11% (10.3% methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), 0.8% methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA)). Phenotypic and genotypic resistance was highest to penicillin-G (96.8%), trimethoprim (73.3%), and tetracycline (13.3%) with 20% of isolates classified as multidrug resistant. Virulence genes, Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl), toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (tsst-1), and sasX gene were detected in 16.7%, 23.3% and 3.3% of isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed 4 predominant clonal complexes CC152, CC8, CC80, and CC508. This study has identified that inpatients of BCRH were carriers of S. aureus harbouring virulence genes and resistance to a range of antibiotics. This may indicate a public health risk to other patients and the community.
Multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in abattoir workers in Busia, Kenya
(Journal Article, 2022) Obanda, Benear Apollo; Gibbons, Cheryl L.; Fèvre, Eric M.; Bebora, Lilly; Gitao, George; Ogara, William
Abattoir workers have been identified as high-risk for livestock-associated Staphylococcus aureus carriage. This study investigated S. aureus carriage in abattoir workers in Western Kenya. Nasal swabs were collected once from participants between February-November 2012. S. aureus was isolated using bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing performed using the VITEK 2 instrument and disc diffusion methods. Isolates underwent whole genome sequencing and Multi Locus Sequence Types were derived from these data. S. aureus (n = 126) was isolated from 118/737 (16.0%) participants. Carriage was higher in HIV-positive (24/89, 27.0%) than HIV–negative participants (94/648, 14.5%; p = 0.003). There were 23 sequence types (STs) identified, and half of the isolates were ST152 (34.1%) or ST8 (15.1%). Many isolates carried the Panton-Valentine leucocidin toxin gene (42.9%). Only three isolates were methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (3/126, 2.4%) and the prevalence of MRSA carriage was 0.4% (3/737). All MRSA were ST88. Isolates from HIV-positive participants (37.0%) were more frequently resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim compared to isolates from HIV-negative participants (6.1%; p < 0.001). Similarly, trimethoprim resistance genes were more frequently detected in isolates from HIV-positive (81.5%) compared to HIV-negative participants (60.6%; p = 0.044). S. aureus in abattoir workers were representative of major sequence types in Africa, with a high proportion being toxigenic isolates. HIV-positive individuals were more frequently colonized by antimicrobial resistant S. aureus which may be explained by prophylactic antimicrobial use.
Evaluation of adaptability and stability for iron, zinc and protein content in cowpea genotypes using GGE biplot approach
(Journal Article, 2022-12) Araújo, Mauricio dos Santos; Lelis de Aragão, Walter Frazão; Pinheiro dos Santos, Samiria; Teixeira Freitas, Thaise Kessiane; da Costa Saraiva, Verônica; de Moura Rocha, Maurisrael
Cowpea is a widely cultivated crop in the world. Biofortification strategies aim to reduce mineral and protein deficiencies, especially among the poorest people. The aim of this study was to estimate adaptability and stability of cowpea genotypes for iron, zinc and protein contents, through GGE biplot analysis. Twenty cowpea genotypes were evaluated in the municipalities of Piauí Monsenhor Hipólito, Pio IX and São Miguel do Tapuio, under rainfed conditions. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications. The traits evaluated were grain yield, iron, zinc and protein contents in dry grains. Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and protein contents by Kjeldahl methods. Adaptability and stability were evaluated by GGE biplot analyses. The means of the experiments were 1,209.1 kg ha−1, 51.1 mg kg−1, 46.8 mg kg−1 and 24.3% for grain yield, Fe, Zn and protein contents, respectively. The joint analysis of variance showed significant difference (p < 0.05) for the effect of interaction genotypes by environments for Fe, Zn and protein contents. The lines G6 and G8 were the most promising for grain yield, mineral and protein content through adaptability and stability by GGE biplot approach.
Divergence study of rice (Oryza sativa L) genotypes for consumer-preferred quality traits
(Journal Article, 2022) Khaire, Amrutlal R.; Singh, S. K.; Jayasudha, M.; Singh, Akanksha; Singh, D. K.; Korada, Mounika
Aim: To study the divergence of forty rice genotypes for consumer-preferred eleven quality traits. Design, Place and Duration of the Study: The rice seeds were harvested from randomly selected plants grown in alpha lattice design with three replications during Kharif season (start in June and end in October) 2018 at Agricultural research farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi UP, India. Methodology: The data were analysed using biometrical tools - Mahalanobis D2 and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The studied traits include, - grain length, grain breadth, kernel length, length to breadth ratio, kernel breadth, kernel length after cooking, kernel breadth after cooking, elongation ratio, elongation index, amylose content and alkali digestion value. Results: Using Mahalanobis D2, all forty genotypes were distributed into six clusters. The maximum inter-cluster distance was recorded between Cluster II to cluster V (5.76), followed by cluster V and cluster III (5.71), and cluster II and cluster VI (5.57) which indicated the existence of high genetic diversity among genotypes in these clusters and, therefore, crosses between the genotypes of these clusters could yield desirable transgressive isolates for desirable quality traits and the importance of the genotypes present in these clusters for exploiting heterosis for the desirable traits of these clusters. The PCA indicates that the five principal components (PC) captured almost 90% of variability present among the 40 rice genotypes. Conclusion: The genotypes belonging to Cluster II to cluster V, followed by cluster V and cluster III, and cluster II and cluster VI, can be used for making crosses as they have higher mean values for quality traits and higher inter-cluster distance for greater diversity.
Advances in the development of rice varieties with better nutritional quality in Indonesia
(Journal Article, 2023-06) Sitaresmi, Trias; Hairmansis, Aris; Widyastuti, Yuni; Susanto, Untung; Wibo, Bayu Pramono; Widiastuti, Mira Landep; Rumanti, Indrastuti Apri; Suwarno, Willy Bayuardi; Nugraha, Yudhistira
Rice is the major food crop in Indonesia, and its consumption is still considerably high, indicating that daily nutrient uptake relies on its grain. An unbalanced diet leads to some health problems in Indonesia, such as stunting, anemia, and diabetes. Increasing the nutritional value of rice through crop improvement is an important strategy for reducing the prevalence of malnutrition. Improvement of the nutritional qualities of rice varieties has been achieved by developing antioxidant-rich pigmented rice, micronutrient-rich rice, and low glycemic index (GI) rice varieties. Pigmented rice varieties have been released for farmer adoption in Indonesia, either with red or black aleurone. Improvement of the micronutrient content of rice through a cross-breeding approach has been successful for zinc. High-zinc rice varieties for different rice ecosystems, including irrigated lowland, upland, and swampy areas, have been developed and have the potential to be used for biofortification to reduce stunting prevalence in the country. More efforts to improve other important micronutrients such as iron and provitamin A are still needed by using a genetic engineering approach. While food diversification is the best way to overcome malnutrition, rice biofortification through the improvement of the nutritional quality of rice grain has the potential to be a sustainable approach to supplying important nutrition for people who have limited access to a diverse diet. Acceleration of the adoption of healthier rice varieties by farmers is key to getting the maximum benefit from the technologies.
Editorial: Beyond the food systems framework: Food system transitions toward sustainable healthy diets in low and middle-income countries
(Journal Article, 2022) Van den berg, Marrit; Lecoutere, Els; Termote, Céline; Hunter, Danny
Food systems are failing to deliver sufficient, healthy and affordable food. Poor diets are a leading contributor to the global burden of disease while malnutrition is among the leading causes of death (Afshin et al., 2019). The high cost of healthy diets coupled with persistent high levels of income inequality put healthy diets out of reach for around three billion people throughout the world (FAO, 2021). The sustainability of how we produce, distribute and consume food is of increasing concern. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated crises can cause significant disruptions to food systems (Carducci et al., 2021). Reshaping how we produce and consume food ensuring human and planetary health is a key global challenge highlighted by recent and ongoing UN dialogues through the Food Systems Summit, Climate Change Conference (COP26) and forthcoming Biodiversity Conference (COP15).
Nutritionally enhanced wheat for food and nutrition security
(Book Chapter, 2022) Velu, Govindan; Michaux, Kristina D.; Pfeiffer, Wolfgang H.
The current and future trends in population growth and consumption patterns continue to increase the demand for wheat. Wheat is a major source and an ideal vehicle for delivering increased quantities of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and other valuable bioactive compounds to population groups who consume wheat as a staple food. To address nutritious traits in crop improvement, breeding feasibility must be assessed and nutrient targets defined based on their health impact. Novel alleles for grain Zn and Fe in competitive, profitable, Zn enriched wheat varieties have been accomplished using conventional breeding techniques and have been released in South Asia and Latin America, providing between 20% and 40% more Zn than local commercial varieties and benefitting more than four million consumers. Future challenges include accelerating and maintaining parallel rates of genetic gain for productivity and Zn traits and reversing the trend of declining nutrients in wheat that has been exacerbated by climate change. Application of modern empirical and analytical technologies and methods in wheat breeding will help to expedite genetic progress, shorten time-to-market, and achieve mainstreaming objectives. In exploiting synergies from genetic and agronomic options, agronomic biofortification can contribute to achieving higher Zn concentrations, stabilize Zn trait expression, and increase other grain minerals, such as selenium or iodine. Increasing Fe bioavailability in future breeding and research with other nutrients and bioactive compounds is warranted to further increase the nutritious value of wheat. Crop profiles must assure value propositions for all actors across the supply chain and consider processors requirements in product development.
Does a joint United Nations microfinance ‘plus’ program empower female farmers in rural Ethiopia? Evidence using the pro-WEAI
(Journal Article, 2022-08) Hillesland, Marya; Kaaria, Susan; Mane, Erdgin; Alemu, Mihret; Slavchevska, Vanya
Microfinance is thought to be an effective tool for empowering women. Yet, previous studies that evaluate microfinance programs have mixed findings. This is in part because there are large variations in the interventions that are evaluated, but also that there is not a standardized metric of empowerment that is implemented consistently throughout the literature. This study investigates the effectiveness of a joint United Nations program aimed at empowering rural women through women-run rural savings and credit cooperatives in Oromia, Ethiopia, using the project-Women’s Empowerment in Agricultural Index. Building on more than a decade of studies and validation of different versions of the Women’s Empowerment in Agricultural Index, the tool aims to provide a standardized and comparable metric of women’s empowerment that is flexible enough to measure impacts of development projects. This study finds that the program had a positive impact on intrinsic agency for the beneficiaries with continued access to credit through the RUSACCOs between the baseline and endline. For this group of beneficiaries, the program seemed to increase the trust and respect between spouses. There is a second group of beneficiaries that appeared to have dropped out at the initial stages of the program or lost access to credit, suggesting there may have been problems with the program or possible resistance by spouses or community members. The study expands our understanding of how to measure women’s empowerment impacts of development projects within the context of a smallholder agricultural households.
The effects of COVID-19 on food equity and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from a multi-phase assessment
(Report, 2022) Salm, Leah; Nisbett, Nick; Lulache, Alexandra
The COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa has elicited reactions that are also seen worldwide: widespread and indefinite health effects, and deep reverberations on almost all parts of daily life, from livelihoods, to freedom of movement and the availability of foods and services. As was seen in previous health crises such as that of HIV or Ebola, the effects of the pandemic are mediated by pre-existing power structures, vulnerabilities, and systems of support, which lead to differentiated outcomes for people and communities, often to the detriment of the poorest groups. This study examines the impact of COVID-19 on commercialising farmers across sub-Saharan Africa, with a deeper focus on Nigeria and Malawi, from a food equity perspective.
Food security and nutrition inequities in the context of agricultural commercialisation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A narrative literature review
(Working Paper, 2022) Gordon, Jessica
Many sub-Saharan African countries are choosing to prioritise market-oriented agricultural production as a central component of their agricultural and economic development strategies. An increasing focus on inequity in international development research has in part been driven by the observation of persistent and worsening marginalisation of particular groups. In some cases this has been linked to agricultural commercialisation processes (i.e. farmers becoming increasingly market-oriented) and unequal food security and nutrition outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. This narrative literature review addresses the question: what are the different forms and processes of inequity seen to influence unequal food security and nutrition outcomes in the context of agricultural commercialisation in sub-Saharan Africa? The review findings point to a rich and diverse set of literature exploring various dimensions of inequity in relation to agricultural commercialisation, food security and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. To facilitate exploration of these dimensions, and drawing on other recent equity literature framings, inequities are conceptualised and examined at three intersecting levels: (1) unequal food security and nutrition outcomes based on social position, (2) underlying material circumstances, and (3) basic structural causes. The review provides a first step to advancing theoretical understandings around these three intersecting areas and suggests further research is needed to explore and define inequities and further develop the conceptual framework. This is considered a critical priority to mitigate against and reverse existing food security and nutrition inequities that might in part be attributed to agricultural commercialisation processes.
Genomic prediction of zinc-biofortification potential in rice gene bank accessions
(Journal Article, 2022-07) Rakotondramanana, Mbolatantely; Tanaka, Ryokei; Pariasca-Tanaka, Juan; Stangoulis, James; Grenier, Cécile; Wissuwa, Matthias
Increasing zinc (Zn) concentrations in edible parts of food crops, an approach termed Zn-biofortification, is a global breeding objective to alleviate micro-nutrient malnutrition. In particular, infants in countries like Madagascar are at risk of Zn deficiency because their dominant food source, rice, contains insufficient Zn. Biofortified rice varieties with increased grain Zn concentrations would offer a solution and our objective is to explore the genotypic variation present among rice gene bank accessions and to possibly identify underlying genetic factors through genomic prediction and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). A training set of 253 rice accessions was grown at two field sites in Madagascar to determine grain Zn concentrations and grain yield. A multi-locus GWAS analysis identified eight loci. Among these, QTN_11.3 had the largest effect and a rare allele increased grain Zn concentrations by 15%. A genomic prediction model was developed from the above training set to predict Zn concentrations of 3000 sequenced rice accessions. Predicted concentrations ranged from 17.1 to 40.2 ppm with a prediction accuracy of 0.51. An independent confirmation with 61 gene bank seed samples provided high correlations (r = 0.74) between measured and predicted values. Accessions from the aus sub-species had the highest predicted grain Zn concentrations and these were confirmed in additional field experiments, with one potential donor having more than twice the grain Zn compared to a local check variety. We conclude utilizing donors from the aus sub-species and employing genomic selection during the breeding process is the most promising approach to raise grain Zn concentrations in rice.
Access to healthy wheat and maize processed foods in Mexico city: Comparisons across socioeconomic areas and store types
(Journal Article, 2022) Fernández-Gaxiola, Ana Cecilia; Cruz-Casarrubias, Carlos; Pacheco-Miranda, Selene; Marrón-Ponce, Joaquín Alejandro; Quezada, Amado David; García-Guerra, Armando; Donovan, Jason
The contributions of processed foods to the overweight and obesity problem in Latin America are well known. Engagement with the private and public sectors on possible solutions requires deeper insights into where and how these products are sold and the related implications for diet quality. This article characterizes the diversity of wheat and maize processed foods (WMPFs) available to consumers in Mexico City. Data were gathered across nine product categories at different points of sale (supermarkets, small grocery stores, convenience stores) in high and low socioeconomic (SE) areas. We assessed WMPFs based on Nutri-Score profile, price, and health and nutrition claims. Roughly 17.4% of the WMPFs were considered healthy, of which 62.2% were pastas and breads. Availability of healthy WMPFs was scarce in most stores, particularly in convenience stores Compared to supermarkets in the low SE area, those in the high SE area exhibited greater variety in access to healthy WMPFs across all product categories. In the low SE area, healthy WMPFs were priced 16–69% lower than unhealthy WMPFs across product categories. The extensive variety of unhealthy WMPFs, the limited stock of healthy WMPFs in most retail outlets, and the confusing health and nutrition claims on packaging make it difficult for urban consumers to find and choose healthy WMPFs.

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