Agriculture & Health

Poor food quality risks health, restricts trade, and reduces labor productivity of millions in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Food safety is an important health concern. Economic losses resulting from food contamination due to mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxin, amount to US$287 million a year for dried fruits and nuts, and $398 million for cereals and cereal-derived products.

Another important issue is malnutrition, caused by lack of micronutrients such as vitamins, zinc, and iron. It affects vulnerable groups such as women and children. About half of the SSA population suffers from iron deficiency, and more than 5% are at risk from vitamin A deficiencies and resulting blindness, most of them children. Zinc deficiency affects two-thirds of the population, resulting in stunting and morbidity. These deficiencies affect an estimated 2 billion for iron and zinc, and up to 250 million for vitamin A.

R4D goal

Agriculture and health are interlinked in SSA. Productive agriculture provides safe, adequate, and nutritious food that reduces micronutrient deficiencies and enhances the health of vulnerable populations. Food and food fortification, and diversification of crops grown and consumed are thus important entry points for improving nutrition and health.

We improve diets, health, and productivity through research on micronutrient content, food toxins, and nutrient patterns. Our efforts focus on science-based development activities that positively impact the health and nutrition of people in SSA.

Current R4D emphasize the diversification of crop systems, development and biofortification of food crops (maize, cassava, cowpea, banana, and plantain) with increased levels of micronutrients, reduced toxic substances, stable productivity, resistance to pests and diseases, higher yields, and better postharvest characteristics.

We improve food quality and diets of nutritionally disadvantaged populations through the development of nutrient-dense foods, and we expand market opportunities through value-adding activities, and knowledge on agricultural and health policy development.

We work with partners that include universities, advanced research institutes, government organizations, and nongovernmental organizations for upstream/basic research and the national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES) for downstream R4D work and dissemination of new technologies to farmers and consumers.

R4D outputs and outcomes

With our partners, we developed new varieties and technologies to control mycotoxin contamination in major African food crops, i.e., maize and groundnut. We also developed a biological control method that reduced aflatoxin in food crops by 99%.

We focus on developing maize cultivars with enhanced levels of lysine and tryptophan that are tolerant of major foliar diseases and Striga hermonthica (witchweed), and with increased levels of iron, zinc, and provitamin A.

We produced cassava varieties with 28% higher protein and beta-carotene with partners; developed cowpea lines with high protein, iron, and zinc; and are now doing an in vitro evaluation on iron bioavailability of two maize varieties using human subjects.

The first four cassava varieties including two clones with yellow-fleshed or beta-carotene-enriched roots were officially released in DR Congo recently. Another seven genotypes of yellow-fleshed clones with iron and zinc had been made available to national partners for further evaluation.

Through this program, we provide our partners and millions of small-scale farmers with the tools, technologies, and solutions that help enhance science, generate livelihoods, reduce consumer and producer risks, encourage labor productivity, and sustain the health and nutrition of SSA's population for development.

Projects

Agriculture and Health documents