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Sadikiel Mmbando G. The Adoption of Genetically Modified Crops in Africa: the Public's Current Perception, the Regulatory Obstacles, and Ethical Challenges. GM CROPS & FOOD 2024; 15:1-15. [PMID: 38651587 PMCID: PMC11042066 DOI: 10.1080/21645698.2024.2345401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Genetically modified (GM) crops are the most important agricultural commodities that can improve the yield of African smallholder farmers. The intricate circumstances surrounding the introduction of GM agriculture in Africa, however, underscore the importance of comprehending the moral conundrums, regulatory environments, and public sentiment that exist today. This review examines the current situation surrounding the use of GM crops in Africa, focusing on moral conundrums, regulatory frameworks, and public opinion. Only eleven of the fifty-four African countries currently cultivate GM crops due to the wide range of opinions resulting from the disparities in cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. This review proposed that addressing public concerns, harmonizing regulations, and upholding ethical standards will improve the adoption of GM crops in Africa. This study offers ways to enhance the acceptability of GM crops for boosting nutrition and food security globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gideon Sadikiel Mmbando
- Department of Biology, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania
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2
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Owuor AA, Otieno DJ, Okello JJ, Oluoch-Kosura W, Dufour D. Assessment of consumers' preference for orange-fleshed sweet potato puree chapati: a case of rural and urban consumers in Kenya. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2024; 104:4722-4728. [PMID: 37222731 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is bio-fortified with vitamin A precursors through breeding and is thus ideal for combating vitamin A deficiency (VAD). One of the potential mechanisms to promote the consumption of OFSP is to enhance its availability through processing into products with a longer shelf life and more desirable to consumers. However, very few farmers and agro-processors practice value addition due to market uncertainties; there is little information on market availability for OFSP products. This study examined consumers' preference for OFSP puree chapati in rural and urban areas of Kenya, using the contingent valuation method. Data was collected from a random sample of 411 sweet potato consumers and a double-bounded logit model was applied to analyze consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for OFSP puree chapati. RESULTS Consumers were willing to pay a price of Kenya shillings (KES) 19 (USD 0.14) and 35 (USD 0.26) for OFSP puree chapati in Homa Bay and Nairobi counties, respectively. The presence of children under 5 years in a household, consumers' awareness of OFSP products and benefits of consuming OFSP, and level of education had a positive and significant influence on WTP for OFSP puree chapati in both regions. CONCLUSION The study demonstrated that consumers exhibited a positive preference for OFSP puree chapati. In order to increase the consumption of OFSP and its value-added products, it is important to promote consumer awareness of OFSP puree chapati and other such nutritious products through cooking demonstrations and other nudging approaches using attractive illustrations and social media platforms that engage mothers and care-givers of children under 5 years old as well as the youth. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Dominique Dufour
- CIRAD, UMR Qualisud, Montpellier, France
- Qualisud, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro, Université d'Avignon, Université de La Réunion, Montpellier, France
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3
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Thornton P, Mason D'Croz D, Kugler C, Remans R, Zornetzer H, Herrero M. Enabling food system innovation: accelerators for change. GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY 2024; 40:100738. [PMID: 38567265 PMCID: PMC10983825 DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2023.100738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that current food systems are not on a trajectory for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by the end of the decade. Technological innovation will have a considerable role to play in different parts of the food system; many promising options exist or are in the pipeline, some of which may be highly disruptive to existing value chains. Scaling up the innovations required, at the same time as protecting those who may lose out in the short term, will require a strong enabling environment. Here we apply an existing framework of eight change accelerators to six case studies of historical agricultural innovation. We estimated the degree to which each accelerator had been addressed at some stage in the innovation process, as a measure of the gap between what was needed and what was achieved. For the innovations that are being taken to scale and widely utilized, these accelerator gaps are small. Uptake of other innovations is stalled, and for these we found large gaps for one or more of the eight accelerators. Impactful innovation processes address all eight change accelerators at some point, with different phasing of the accelerators depending on the nature of the technology and on the impact pathway being pursued. This simple framework, when used in combination with narratives of uptake based on theories of change and impact pathways, may provide an effective means of screening future innovation processes to help prioritize and guide investment that can lead to more resilient, sustainable and equitable food systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Thornton
- Department of Global Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Daniel Mason D'Croz
- Department of Global Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Cody Kugler
- Department of Global Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Roseline Remans
- Bioversity International, Heverlee, Belgium
- Glocolearning, Genk, Belgium
| | | | - Mario Herrero
- Department of Global Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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Verbeecke V, Custódio L, Strobbe S, Van Der Straeten D. The role of orphan crops in the transition to nutritional quality-oriented crop improvement. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 68:108242. [PMID: 37640278 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Micronutrient malnutrition is a persisting problem threatening global human health. Biofortification via metabolic engineering has been proposed as a cost-effective and short-term means to alleviate this burden. There has been a recent rise in the recognition of potential that underutilized, orphan crops can hold in decreasing malnutrition concerns. Here, we illustrate how orphan crops can serve as a medium to provide micronutrients to populations in need, whilst promoting and maintaining dietary diversity. We provide a roadmap, illustrating which aspects to be taken into consideration when evaluating orphan crops. Recent developments have shown successful biofortification via metabolic engineering in staple crops. This review provides guidance in the implementation of these successes to relevant orphan crop species, with a specific focus on the relevant micronutrients iron, zinc, provitamin A and folates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Verbeecke
- Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Custódio
- Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Simon Strobbe
- Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dominique Van Der Straeten
- Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Kitavi M, Gemenet DC, Wood JC, Hamilton JP, Wu S, Fei Z, Khan A, Buell CR. Identification of genes associated with abiotic stress tolerance in sweetpotato using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. PLANT DIRECT 2023; 7:e532. [PMID: 37794882 PMCID: PMC10546384 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.), a key food security crop, is negatively impacted by heat, drought, and salinity stress. The orange-fleshed sweetpotato cultivar "Beauregard" was exposed to heat, salt, and drought treatments for 24 and 48 h to identify genes responding to each stress condition in leaves. Analysis revealed both common (35 up regulated, 259 down regulated genes in the three stress conditions) and unique sets of up regulated (1337 genes by drought, 516 genes by heat, and 97 genes by salt stress) and down regulated (2445 genes by drought, 678 genes by heat, and 204 genes by salt stress) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) suggesting common, yet stress-specific transcriptional responses to these three abiotic stressors. Gene Ontology analysis of down regulated DEGs common to both heat and salt stress revealed enrichment of terms associated with "cell population proliferation" suggestive of an impact on the cell cycle by the two stress conditions. To identify shared and unique gene co-expression networks under multiple abiotic stress conditions, weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed using gene expression profiles from heat, salt, and drought stress treated 'Beauregard' leaves yielding 18 co-expression modules. One module was enriched for "response to water deprivation," "response to abscisic acid," and "nitrate transport" indicating synergetic crosstalk between nitrogen, water, and phytohormones with genes encoding osmotin, cell expansion, and cell wall modification proteins present as key hub genes in this drought-associated module. This research lays the groundwork for exploring to a further degree, mechanisms for abiotic stress tolerance in sweetpotato.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercy Kitavi
- Research Technology Support Facility (RTSF)Michigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
- Center for Applied Genetic TechnologiesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Dorcus C. Gemenet
- International Potato CenterLimaPeru
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ICRAF HouseNairobiKenya
| | - Joshua C. Wood
- Center for Applied Genetic TechnologiesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - John P. Hamilton
- Center for Applied Genetic TechnologiesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
- Department of Crop & Soil SciencesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Shan Wu
- Boyce Thompson InstituteCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Zhangjun Fei
- Boyce Thompson InstituteCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Awais Khan
- International Potato CenterLimaPeru
- Present address:
Plant Pathology and Plant‐Microbe Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant ScienceCornell UniversityGenevaNew YorkUSA
| | - C. Robin Buell
- Center for Applied Genetic TechnologiesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
- Department of Crop & Soil SciencesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, & GenomicsUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
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Boukhers I, Morel S, Kongolo J, Domingo R, Servent A, Ollier L, Kodja H, Petit T, Poucheret P. Immunomodulatory and Antioxidant Properties of Ipomoea batatas Flour and Extracts Obtained by Green Extraction. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:6967-6985. [PMID: 37754224 PMCID: PMC10529725 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45090440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sweet potato (SP), Ipomoea batatas Lam, belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. It produces edible storage roots. Currently, orange varieties contribute to improving food systems and managing vitamin A deficiency. Processing of this food crop into flour allows better conservation. However, nutrition health data regarding SP flour obtained by green extraction remains scarce. In this study, we therefore explored its phytochemistry and its associated bioactivity potential for human health. We analyzed the nutritional composition of orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP) flour and assessed the antioxidant (free radical scavenging) and immunomodulatory (on inflammatory murine macrophages) properties of the extract. More specifically, we measured the impact of OFSP flour extract on mediators such as Nitric Oxide (NO) and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-alpha), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), and Prostaglandin-E2 (PGE-2). Our results indicated significant fiber, mineral, beta-carotene, and polyphenols content in the extracts, and antioxidant and immunomodulatory bioactivities were also demonstrated with a concentration-dependent inhibition of cytokine production. Taken together, our results suggest that Ipomoea batatas flour could, in addition to being a good source of energy and beta-carotene provitamin A, constitute a food of interest for the prophylaxis of metabolic diseases associated with an underlying low-grade inflammatory state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imane Boukhers
- Qualisud, Univ Montpellier, Avignon Université, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Université de La Réunion, 97400 Montpellier, France; (I.B.); (J.K.); (R.D.); (A.S.); (L.O.); (H.K.)
| | - Sylvie Morel
- Laboratoire de Botanique, Phytochimie et Mycologie, CEFE, CNRS-Université de Montpellier-Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier-EPHE-IRD, 34093 Montpellier, France;
| | - Joelle Kongolo
- Qualisud, Univ Montpellier, Avignon Université, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Université de La Réunion, 97400 Montpellier, France; (I.B.); (J.K.); (R.D.); (A.S.); (L.O.); (H.K.)
| | - Romain Domingo
- Qualisud, Univ Montpellier, Avignon Université, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Université de La Réunion, 97400 Montpellier, France; (I.B.); (J.K.); (R.D.); (A.S.); (L.O.); (H.K.)
| | - Adrien Servent
- Qualisud, Univ Montpellier, Avignon Université, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Université de La Réunion, 97400 Montpellier, France; (I.B.); (J.K.); (R.D.); (A.S.); (L.O.); (H.K.)
| | - Lea Ollier
- Qualisud, Univ Montpellier, Avignon Université, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Université de La Réunion, 97400 Montpellier, France; (I.B.); (J.K.); (R.D.); (A.S.); (L.O.); (H.K.)
| | - Hippolyte Kodja
- Qualisud, Univ Montpellier, Avignon Université, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Université de La Réunion, 97400 Montpellier, France; (I.B.); (J.K.); (R.D.); (A.S.); (L.O.); (H.K.)
| | - Thomas Petit
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Substances Naturelles et des Sciences des Aliments (LCSNSA), Université de La Réunion, 34093 Sainte-Clotilde, France;
| | - Patrick Poucheret
- Qualisud, Univ Montpellier, Avignon Université, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Université de La Réunion, 97400 Montpellier, France; (I.B.); (J.K.); (R.D.); (A.S.); (L.O.); (H.K.)
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Effect of nutrition awareness on utilization of Orange Fleshed Sweetpotato among vulnerable populations in Kenya. Food Secur 2022; 15:479-491. [PMID: 36570637 PMCID: PMC9761635 DOI: 10.1007/s12571-022-01326-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Malnutrition continues to affect many vulnerable populations worldwide, with the majority of these residing in developing and underdeveloped countries. This problem has been exacerbated by the changing climate and more recently by the COVID-19 pandemic. Urgent efforts geared towards enhancing sustainable production and value chains of nutritious foods to ensure access to healthier diets are therefore critical. A recent partnership between the World Food Programme and the International Potato Center to enhance utilization of biofortified crops in fragile environments in Kenya is a step in this direction, aimed at improving the diets of households at risk of hunger and malnutrition. This study sets out to provide early evidence on the potential impacts of the interventions spearheaded in this partnership, together with lessons for further scaling efforts. Using household level data, the study adopts an impact evaluation framework to understand the effect of nutrition awareness through the dissemination of information on Vitamin A deficiency, on the utilization of orange fleshed sweetpotato, a biofortified crop rich in Vitamin A. Results show positive and significant effects of nutrition awareness on utilization of the orange-fleshed sweetpotato. Several factors were also identified as key to determining the exposure to nutrition awareness, including proximity to markets and extension agents, gender, and education levels. For widespread and inclusive adoption and utilization of orange-fleshed sweetpotato, out-scaling efforts need to consider these determinants in designing interventions aimed at raising nutrition awareness, as a key entry point to enhancing utilization of orange-fleshed sweetpotato.
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Simple solutions for complex problems? What is missing in agriculture for nutrition interventions. Food Secur 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12571-022-01324-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Within the nutritionism paradigm, in this article we critically review the marketization and medicalization logics which aim to address the pressing issue of malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries. Drawing from political economy and food system transformation discourses, we are using the popular intervention types of nutrition-sensitive value chains (marketization logic) and biofortification exemplified through orange-fleshed sweet potato (medicalization logic) to assess their outcomes and underlying logics. We demonstrate that there is insufficient evidence of the positive impact of these interventions on nutritional outcomes, and that their underlying theories of change and impact logics do not deal with the inherent complexity of nutritional challenges. We show that nutrition-sensitive value chain approaches are unable to leverage or enhance the functioning of value chains to improve nutritional outcomes, especially in light of the disproportionate power of some food companies. We further demonstrate that orange-fleshed sweet potato interventions and biofortification more broadly adopt a narrow approach to malnutrition, disregarding the interactions between food components and broader value chain and food system dynamics. We argue that both intervention types focus solely on increasing the intake of specific nutrients without incorporating their embeddedness in the wider food systems and the relevant political-economic and social relations that influence the production and consumption of food. We conclude that the systemic nature of malnutrition requires to be understood and addressed as part of the food system transformation challenge in order to move towards solving it. To do so, new evaluation frameworks along with new approaches to solutions are necessary that support multiple and diverse development pathways, which are able to acknowledge the social, political-economic, and environmental factors and drivers of malnutrition and poverty.
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Douthwaite B, Proietti C, Polar V, Thiele G. Using theory to understand how policy change happens: Insights from agricultural research for development. RESEARCH EVALUATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/reseval/rvac038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Influencing policy is an important scaling mechanism. However, if a program is to plausibly claim that it has or can influence policy, it needs to explain how. This is not straightforward because of the complex nature of policy change. Scholars suggest the use of theory to help answer the ‘how’ question. In this article, we show how, in practice, a middle-range policy change theory—Kingdon’s Policy Window theory—helped us model the workings of four outcome trajectories that produced agricultural policy outcomes in four cases. By providing a common framework, the middle-range theory helped accumulate learning from one evaluation to the next, generating specific and generalizable insights in the process. Accumulation learning in this way can help organizations become more convincing in the proposals they write to donors, more accountable and better able to identify and deliver on their goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boru Douthwaite
- Selkie Consulting Ltd. , Cushalogurt, Kilmeena , Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), led by the International Potato Center (CIP), Av. La Molina 1895, Distrito de La Molina , Lima 12, Peru
| | - Claudio Proietti
- Center for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD), Bâtiment 1, 389 Av. Agropolis , 34980 Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
| | - Vivian Polar
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), led by the International Potato Center (CIP), Av. La Molina 1895, Distrito de La Molina , Lima 12, Peru
| | - Graham Thiele
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), led by the International Potato Center (CIP), Av. La Molina 1895, Distrito de La Molina , Lima 12, Peru
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Di Prima S, Wright EP, Sharma IK, Syurina E, Broerse JE. Implementation and scale-up of nutrition-sensitive agriculture in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review of what works, what doesn't work and why. GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Lagerkvist C, Mwende J, Muoki P, Okello JJ. How useful are perception- and experienced-based measures in predicting actual food choice? Evidence from an in-store field experiment using a multi-response approach. Food Qual Prefer 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Ojwang SO, Otieno DJ, Okello JJ, Nyikal RA, Muoki P. The Role of Targeted Nutrition Education of Preschoolers and Caregivers on Sustained Consumption of Biofortified Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato in Kenya. Curr Dev Nutr 2021; 5:nzab096. [PMID: 34396032 PMCID: PMC8357802 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent prevalence of high malnutrition in poor households in developing countries calls for enhancement of cost-effective nutrition interventions among the vulnerable groups. One responsive way is to promote regular consumption of home-grown biofortified foods, particularly in the micronutrient-deficient groups. Previous nutrition interventions have targeted adults with behavior change education, but have rarely explored the potential of nutrition education of preschoolers as change agents. OBJECTIVES This study sought to assess the effect of nutrition education targeting preschool children and their caregivers on their consumption of vitamin A-biofortified orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) in rural farm households in Homa Bay County, Kenya. METHODS A total of 431 preschooler-caregiver pairs from 15 village-level clusters were recruited into a randomized controlled trial. The sample was randomized into 1 control (3 villages) and 3 treatment groups (4 villages each). Treatments involved channeling nutrition education to preschoolers through their learning materials (preschooler treatment); the caregivers through their mobile phones (caregiver treatment); and to both preschoolers and their caregivers simultaneously (integrated treatment). Baseline and follow-up household-level surveys were conducted with the caregivers, and consumption data were collected from the preschoolers using a child dietary diversity register. Class teachers sought 24-h consumption recalls of the preschoolers for 19 consecutive schooldays. RESULTS The results of a zero-inflated Poisson regression showed that the phone-mediated and multichanneled nutrition education approaches significantly increased the number of days of OFSP consumption. The integrated nutrition education approach significantly increased the preschoolers' likelihood to consume OFSP, number of OFSP consumption days, and likelihood to consume it more than once per week by 11%, 77%, and 20%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Nutrition education through OFSP-branded preschoolers' learning materials and phone-mediated messages provides effective nudges to the caregivers to feed their preschoolers regularly with OFSP. This could have implications for realizing sustainable nutrition programs in biofortified crop-growing areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvester O Ojwang
- Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David J Otieno
- Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Rose A Nyikal
- Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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Banda L, Kyallo M, Domelevo Entfellner JB, Moyo M, Swanckaert J, Mwanga RO, Onyango A, Magiri E, Gemenet DC, Yao N, Pelle R, Muzhingi T. Analysis of β-amylase gene ( Amyβ) variation reveals allele association with low enzyme activity and increased firmness in cooked sweetpotato ( Ipomoea batatas) from East Africa. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH 2021; 4:100121. [PMID: 34085050 PMCID: PMC8135125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2021.100121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
β-amylase is a thermostable enzyme that hydrolyses starch during cooking of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) storage roots, thereby influencing eating quality. Its activity is known to vary amongst genotypes but the genetic diversity of the beta-amylase gene (Amyβ) is not well studied. Amyβ has a highly conserved region between exon V and VI, forming part of the enzyme's active site. To determine the gene diversity, a 2.3 kb fragment, including the conserved region of the Amyβ gene was sequenced from 25 sweetpotato genotypes. The effect of sequence variation on gene expression, enzyme activity, and firmness in cooked roots was determined. Six genotypes carrying several SNPs within exon V, linked with an AT or ATGATA insertion in intron V were unique and clustered together. The genotypes also shared an A336E substitution in the amino acid sequence, eight residues upstream of a substrate-binding Thr344. The genotypes carrying this allele exhibited low gene expression and low enzyme activity. Enzyme activity was negatively correlated with firmness (R = -0.42) in cooked roots. This is the first report of such an allele, associated with low enzyme activity. These results suggest that genetic variation within the AmyB locus can be utilized to develop markers for firmness in sweetpotato breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linly Banda
- Pan African University Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology, and Innovation, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 62000, 00200, Nairobi, Kenya
- National University of Science and Technology, Department of Applied Biology and Biochemistry, P.O. Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
| | - Martina Kyallo
- Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, P.O. Box 30709, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jean-Baka Domelevo Entfellner
- Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, P.O. Box 30709, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mukani Moyo
- International Potato Center, Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Office, ILRI Campus, P.O. Box 25171, 00603, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jolien Swanckaert
- International Potato Center, Ntinda II Road, Plot 47, P.O. Box 22274, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Robert O.M. Mwanga
- International Potato Center, Ntinda II Road, Plot 47, P.O. Box 22274, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Arnold Onyango
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Department of Food Science, P.O. Box 62000, 00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Esther Magiri
- Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Private Bag 10143 Dedan Kimathi, Nyeri, Kenya
| | - Dorcus C. Gemenet
- Kenya Excellence in Breeding Platform, CIMMYT, ICRAF Campus, P.O. Box 1041-00621, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nasser Yao
- Alliance Bioversity International-CIAT, CIAT Africa Office, P.O. Box 823, 00621, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Roger Pelle
- Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, P.O. Box 30709, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tawanda Muzhingi
- International Potato Center, Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Office, ILRI Campus, P.O. Box 25171, 00603, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7624 Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
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14
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Gebreyes M, Mekonnen K, Thorne P, Derseh M, Adie A, Mulema A, Kemal SA, Tamene L, Amede T, Haileslassie A, Gebrekirstos A, Mupangwa WT, Ebrahim M, Alene T, Asfaw A, Dubale W, Yasabu S. Overcoming constraints of scaling: Critical and empirical perspectives on agricultural innovation scaling. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251958. [PMID: 34043663 PMCID: PMC8158990 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Scaling is a ubiquitous concept in agricultural research in the global south as donors require their research grantees to prove that their results can be scaled to impact upon the livelihoods of a large number of beneficiaries. Recent studies on scaling have brought critical perspectives to the rather technocratic tendencies in the agricultural innovations scaling literature. Drawing on theoretical debates on spatial strategies and practical experience of agricultural innovation scaling in Ethiopia, this paper adds to the current debate on what constitutes scaling and how to overcome critical scaling constraints. The data for the paper came from a qualitative assessment using focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and document analysis on scaling work done in Ethiopia by a USAID-funded research for development project. The paper concludes with four broad lessons for the current understating of agricultural innovation scaling. First, scaling of agricultural innovations requires a balanced focus on technical requirements and associated social dynamics surrounding scaling targets, actors involved and their social relations. Second, appreciating the social dynamics of scaling emphasizes the fact that scaling is more complex than a linear rolling out of innovations towards diffusion. Third, scaling may not be strictly planned; instead, it might be an extension of the innovation generation process that relies heavily on both new and long-term relationships with key partners, trust, and continuous reflection and learning. Fourth, the overall implication of the above three conclusions is that scaling strategies need to be flexible, stepwise, and reflective. Despite the promises of flourishing scaling frameworks, scaling strategies it would appear from the Africa RISING experience that, if real impact is to be achieved, approaches will be required to be flexible enough to manage the social, processual and emergent nature of the practice of scaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Million Gebreyes
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Kindu Mekonnen
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Peter Thorne
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Melkamu Derseh
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Aberra Adie
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Annet Mulema
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Seid Ahmed Kemal
- International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Rabat, Morocco
| | - Lulseged Tamene
- Alliance for Bioversity International and CIAT (ABC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tilahun Amede
- International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRSAT), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | | | - Mohammed Ebrahim
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Temesgen Alene
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Addisu Asfaw
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Workneh Dubale
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Simret Yasabu
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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15
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Okello JJ, Shiundu FM, Mwende J, Lagerkvist CJ, Nyikal RA, Muoki P, Mburu J, Low J, Hareau G, Heck S. Quality and psychosocial factors influencing purchase of orange-fleshed sweetpotato bread. Int J Food Sci Technol 2021; 56:1432-1446. [PMID: 33776244 PMCID: PMC7984082 DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.14822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This 2018 study, conducted in six Tusky's supermarkets in Nairobi, Kenya, combined the Just-About-Right, Penalty and Mean-End-Chain analyses to examine the quality and psychosocial factors influencing the purchase of a novel bread made from orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), a biofortified crop, focusing on sixty-one male and eighty female urban OFSP bread buyers recruited at point of purchase. It finds that sensory and psychosocial factors drive purchasing decisions and that some of the bread's sensory characteristics are misaligned with consumers' expectations. It also finds that women and men's evaluations of the bread's characteristics are different, as are their motivations for purchase. However, good sensory attributes and the knowledge of the bread's nutritional value were key drivers. Some misaligned characteristics reveal levers for the reformulation of the bread and present opportunities for segmenting the market. Several other implications of the findings for policy and future improvement of the bread are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Felix Mwala Shiundu
- Department of Agricultural Economics University of Nairobi P.O. Box 29053-00625 Kangemi Nairobi Kenya
| | - Janet Mwende
- International Potato Center Kisumu Liaison Office P.O. Box 1745-40100 Kisumu Kenya
| | - Carl Johan Lagerkvist
- Department of Economics Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences P.O. Box 7013 Uppsala 75007 Sweden
| | - Rose Adhiambo Nyikal
- Department of Agricultural Economics University of Nairobi P.O. Box 29053-00625 Kangemi Nairobi Kenya
| | - Penina Muoki
- International Potato Center Kisumu Liaison Office P.O. Box 1745-40100 Kisumu Kenya
| | - John Mburu
- Department of Agricultural Economics University of Nairobi P.O. Box 29053-00625 Kangemi Nairobi Kenya
| | - Jan Low
- International Potato Center P.O. Box 25171 Nairobi Kenya
| | - Guy Hareau
- International Potato Center Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina Lima 12 Peru
| | - Simon Heck
- International Potato Center P.O. Box 25171 Nairobi Kenya
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16
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Carey EE, Ssali R, Low JW. Review of knowledge to guide product development and breeding for sweetpotato frying quality in West Africa. Int J Food Sci Technol 2021; 56:1410-1418. [PMID: 33776242 PMCID: PMC7986792 DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.14934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This review provides background about sweetpotato in West Africa to identify the current importance and future potential of sweetpotato fried products in the region. We drew on global literature to consider current best practices and health aspects in addition to information from West Africa where frying in the form of large wedges or 'chunk fries' is predominant over other forms (i.e. chips (often referred to as crisps in England and the Commonwealth) and 'French fries'). Chunk fries are produced mostly by female-run microenterprises selling them as a filling snack to roadside and market customers. Boiling, drying and reconstituting in various foods, pounding and consumption of leaves as a vegetable are also important in the region. Further research will inform the development of a product profile for chunk fried sweetpotato and inform breeding strategies to improve sweetpotato for frying and other uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward E. Carey
- International Potato Center (CIP) c/o CSIR‐CRIFumesuaKumasi38785Ghana
| | - Reuben Ssali
- International Potato Center (CIP) c/o CSIR‐CRIFumesuaKumasi38785Ghana
| | - Jan W. Low
- International Potato Center (CIP)00603Nairobi25171Kenya
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17
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Gatto M, de Haan S, Laborte A, Bonierbale M, Labarta R, Hareau G. Trends in Varietal Diversity of Main Staple Crops in Asia and Africa and Implications for Sustainable Food Systems. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.626714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crop species and varietal diversity on farm have the potential to trigger multiple regulating and provisioning ecosystem services. The latter is commonly assessed through targeted studies covering a select number of geographies and crop species, precluding comparisons across crops and at scale. This study draws on a large dataset on the varietal release dynamics for 11 major food crops in 44 countries of Asia and Africa to assess trends in diversity across crops and regions with a 50-year perspective. Our results show an increasing reduction of crop varietal diversity linked to the spatial displacement of traditional landraces. This trend occurs at a faster rate in Asia than in Africa. So-called mega varieties tend to increasingly dominate agricultural landscapes, adding to spatial homogeneity. We further found a negative association between varietal richness and its relative abundance, challenging the relationship between crop improvement and varietal diversity. Our results show that among cereal, pulse, and root and tuber crops, varietal diversity is lowest for cereals in Asia and highest for root and tubers in Africa. The analysis contributes new information useful to prioritize crops for which increasing varietal diversity may lead to more sustainable food systems.
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18
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Scott GJ. A review of root, tuber and banana crops in developing countries: past, present and future. Int J Food Sci Technol 2020; 56:1093-1114. [PMID: 33776223 PMCID: PMC7983897 DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.14778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
For many of the developing world's poorest farmers and food‐insecure people, roots, tubers, bananas and plantain crops (RTBs) serve as a critical source of food, nutrition and cash income. RTBs have been particularly important in areas where local agri‐food systems are under stress. Under such circumstances, growers, processors and traders often see opportunities to improve food security or increase their incomes with those crops due to shifting tastes and preferences for food and non‐food products. Since the early 1990s, cassava output surged in sub‐Saharan Africa, while potato production expanded rapidly in Asia. RTBs are consumed by over three billion people in developing countries with a market value of US$ 339 billion. This paper analyses the major changes in production, utilisation and trade of RTBs over the last six decades, assesses estimates of their future trajectory and offers recommendations so that they might achieve their full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J Scott
- CENTRUM-PUCP Graduate Business School Jirón Daniel Alomía Robles 125, Santiago de Surco 15023 Lima 33 Perú.,Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel 15088 Lima 32 Perú
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