Tackling Vitamin A Deficiency with Biofortified Sweetpotato in Sub-Saharan Africa

Overview

Journal Glob Food Sec

Publisher Elsevier

Date 2017 Oct 10

PMID 28989861

Citations 61

Authors

Jan W Low

Robert O M Mwanga

Maria Andrade

Edward Carey

Anna-Marie Ball

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) is a rich plant-based source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. In sub-Saharan Africa, sweetpotato is known as a food security crop but most varieties grown are high dry matter white-fleshed types, lacking beta-carotene. In 1995, researchers recognized the potential of OFSP varieties to address widespread vitamin A deficiency in SSA using an integrated agriculture-nutrition approach. With their partners, they confronted conventional wisdom concerning food-based approaches and institutional barriers, to build the evidence base and breed 42 OFSP varieties adapted to farmer needs and consumer preferences. Subsequently, a multi-partner, multi-donor initiative, launched in 2009, has already reached 2.8 million households. This review summarizes that effort describing how the changing policy environment influenced the process.

Citing Articles

Trend and Burden of Vitamin A Deficiency in 1990-2021 and Projection to 2050: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Lin K, Qi Y, Sun J Nutrients. 2025; 17(3).

PMID: 39940430 PMC: 11820265. DOI: 10.3390/nu17030572.

Multi-environmental traits selection and farmer's participatory assessment of mean performance and stability of orange-fleshed sweet potato genotypes in Benin.

Ahoudou I, Fassinou Hotegni N, Sogbohossou D, Akponikpe T, Adje C, Assogba Komlan F Heliyon. 2025; 11(2):e41685.

PMID: 39872448 PMC: 11770543. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41685.

The current status of genetic biofortification in alleviating malnutrition in Africa.

Mmbando G, Missanga J J Genet Eng Biotechnol. 2024; 22(4):100445.

PMID: 39674627 PMC: 11638581. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgeb.2024.100445.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Sweet Potato Storage Root Traits Using GWASpoly, a Gene Dosage-Sensitive Model.

Bowers R, Slonecki T, Olukolu B, Yencho G, Wadl P Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(21).

PMID: 39519288 PMC: 11546673. DOI: 10.3390/ijms252111727.

Next Generation Sequencing and Genetic Analyses Reveal Factors Driving Evolution of Sweetpotato Viruses in Uganda.

Adero J, Wokorach G, Stomeo F, Yao N, Machuka E, Njuguna J Pathogens. 2024; 13(10).

PMID: 39452705 PMC: 11510311. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13100833.

References

Ruel M, Alderman H . Nutrition-sensitive interventions and programmes: how can they help to accelerate progress in improving maternal and child nutrition?. Lancet. 2013; 382(9891):536-51. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60843-0. View

Vimala B, Nambisan B, Hariprakash B . Retention of carotenoids in orange-fleshed sweet potato during processing. J Food Sci Technol. 2013; 48(4):520-4. PMC: 3551189. DOI: 10.1007/s13197-011-0323-2. View

de Brauw A, Eozenou P, Gilligan D, Hotz C, Kumar N, Meenakshi J . Biofortification, Crop Adoption and Health Information: Impact Pathways in Mozambique and Uganda. Am J Agric Econ. 2020; 100(3):906-930. PMC: 7053385. DOI: 10.1093/ajae/aay005. View

Bouis H . Plant breeding: a new tool for fighting micronutrient malnutrition. J Nutr. 2002; 132(3):491S-494S. DOI: 10.1093/jn/132.3.491S. View

Tumuhimbise G, Namutebi A, Muyonga J . Microstructure and in vitro beta carotene bioaccessibility of heat processed orange fleshed sweet potato. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2009; 64(4):312-8. DOI: 10.1007/s11130-009-0142-z. View

Van Jaarsveld P, Faber M, Tanumihardjo S, Nestel P, Lombard C, Benade A . Beta-carotene-rich orange-fleshed sweet potato improves the vitamin A status of primary school children assessed with the modified-relative-dose-response test. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005; 81(5):1080-7. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/81.5.1080. View

Low J, Arimond M, Osman N, Cunguara B, Zano F, Tschirley D . A food-based approach introducing orange-fleshed sweet potatoes increased vitamin A intake and serum retinol concentrations in young children in rural Mozambique. J Nutr. 2007; 137(5):1320-7. DOI: 10.1093/jn/137.5.1320. View

Hotz C, Loechl C, de Brauw A, Eozenou P, Gilligan D, Moursi M . A large-scale intervention to introduce orange sweet potato in rural Mozambique increases vitamin A intakes among children and women. Br J Nutr. 2011; 108(1):163-76. DOI: 10.1017/S0007114511005174. View

Low J, Arimond M, Osman N, Cunguara B, Zano F, Tschirley D . Ensuring the supply of and creating demand for a biofortified crop with a visible trait: lessons learned from the introduction of orange-fleshed sweet potato in drought-prone areas of Mozambique. Food Nutr Bull. 2007; 28(2 Suppl):S258-70. DOI: 10.1177/15648265070282S205. View

10.

Black R, Victora C, Walker S, Bhutta Z, Christian P, de Onis M . Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet. 2013; 382(9890):427-451. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60937-X. View

11.

Haddad L, Hawkes C, Webb P, Thomas S, Beddington J, Waage J . A new global research agenda for food. Nature. 2016; 540(7631):30-32. DOI: 10.1038/540030a. View

12.

Webb Girard A, Self J, McAuliffe C, Olude O . The effects of household food production strategies on the health and nutrition outcomes of women and young children: a systematic review. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2012; 26 Suppl 1:205-22. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2012.01282.x. View

13.

Hotz C, Loechl C, Lubowa A, Tumwine J, Ndeezi G, Nandutu Masawi A . Introduction of β-carotene-rich orange sweet potato in rural Uganda resulted in increased vitamin A intakes among children and women and improved vitamin A status among children. J Nutr. 2012; 142(10):1871-80. DOI: 10.3945/jn.111.151829. View