The Experts below are selected from a list of 29991 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Saurabh Mehta - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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iron biofortified Staple Food crops for improving iron status a review of the current evidence
Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 2017Co-Authors: Julia L Finkelstein, Jere D Haas, Saurabh MehtaAbstract:Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency globally and represents a major threat to public health. Biofortification, the process of enhancing micronutrient content and bioavailability in Staple crops, represents an exciting sustainable Food-based strategy to combat and prevent iron deficiency, particularly in resource-limited settings. In this review, we examine the evidence to date of the efficacy of iron-biofortified Staple Food crops on improving iron status in at-risk populations, including rice, pearl millet, and beans. Three randomized efficacy trials of iron biofortified interventions were included in this analysis, conducted in the Philippines, India, and Rwanda. Iron status (hemoglobin, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), C-reactive protein, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein) was measured at enrollment, midline, and endline in each trial. The primary outcomes evaluated included hemoglobin, serum ferritin, sTfR, and total body iron. A meta-analysis using random effects models was conducted to examine the effects of interventions on hematological outcomes, with the DerSimonian and Laird method. In meta-analyses of data from the three trials, iron-biofortified interventions significantly increased serum ferritin concentrations and total body iron. Evidence to date from randomized trials suggest that iron-biofortified crops are an efficacious intervention to improve iron status. In particular, findings from all three trials also indicate that the effects of biofortified Staple crops were highest among individuals who were iron deficient at baseline, suggesting the greatest potential to benefit. Assessment of functional outcomes and consideration of other high-risk populations such as young children, are warranted to elucidate the impact of iron-biofortified interventions on human health.
Julia L Finkelstein - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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iron biofortified Staple Food crops for improving iron status a review of the current evidence
Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 2017Co-Authors: Julia L Finkelstein, Jere D Haas, Saurabh MehtaAbstract:Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency globally and represents a major threat to public health. Biofortification, the process of enhancing micronutrient content and bioavailability in Staple crops, represents an exciting sustainable Food-based strategy to combat and prevent iron deficiency, particularly in resource-limited settings. In this review, we examine the evidence to date of the efficacy of iron-biofortified Staple Food crops on improving iron status in at-risk populations, including rice, pearl millet, and beans. Three randomized efficacy trials of iron biofortified interventions were included in this analysis, conducted in the Philippines, India, and Rwanda. Iron status (hemoglobin, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), C-reactive protein, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein) was measured at enrollment, midline, and endline in each trial. The primary outcomes evaluated included hemoglobin, serum ferritin, sTfR, and total body iron. A meta-analysis using random effects models was conducted to examine the effects of interventions on hematological outcomes, with the DerSimonian and Laird method. In meta-analyses of data from the three trials, iron-biofortified interventions significantly increased serum ferritin concentrations and total body iron. Evidence to date from randomized trials suggest that iron-biofortified crops are an efficacious intervention to improve iron status. In particular, findings from all three trials also indicate that the effects of biofortified Staple crops were highest among individuals who were iron deficient at baseline, suggesting the greatest potential to benefit. Assessment of functional outcomes and consideration of other high-risk populations such as young children, are warranted to elucidate the impact of iron-biofortified interventions on human health.
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are biofortified Staple Food crops improving vitamin a and iron status in women and children new evidence from efficacy trials
Advances in Nutrition, 2014Co-Authors: Fabiana F De Moura, Julia L Finkelstein, Jere D Haas, Amanda C Palmer, Laura E Murraykolb, Michael J Wenger, Ekin Birol, Erick Boy, Juan Pablo PenarosasAbstract:Biofortification is the breeding of crops to increase their nutritional value, including increased contents of micronutrients or their precursors. Biofortification aims to increase nutrient levels in crops during plant growth rather than during processing of the crops into Foods. Emerging research from 8 human trials conducted in the past decade with Staple Food crops that have been biofortified by traditional plant breeding methods were presented in this symposium. Specifically, data from 6 efficacy and 2 effectiveness trials were discussed to assess the effects of regular consumption of these enhanced Staple crops on improving population vitamin A and iron status and reducing the burden of micronutrient deficiencies in targeted populations living in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. Biofortified Food crops appear to have a positive impact on nutritional and functional health outcomes, as the results from the trials suggest. Additional implementation research will be needed to ensure maximization of the beneficial impact of this intervention and a smooth scaling up to make biofortification a sustainable intervention in public health. The challenge for the global health community remains how to take this efficacious intervention and implement at large scale in the real world.
Katrien Vande Velde - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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contract farming in Staple Food chains the case of rice in benin
World Development, 2017Co-Authors: Miet Maertens, Katrien Vande VeldeAbstract:Abstract In this paper, we analyze the impact of smallholder participation in a contract-farming scheme in the rice sector in Benin. We use data from a cross-sectional farm-household survey and different propensity score matching estimations to reveal how participation in a contract-farming scheme affects smallholder rice production. We find that contract-farming results in expansion of the rice area, intensification of rice production, increased commercialization of rice, and higher farm-gate prices, and ultimately contributes to rice output growth and increased income. Our findings imply that contract-farming can contribute to upgrading the rice supply chain and the development of the rice sector in Benin. Promoting and supporting the spread of contract-farming schemes in the sector might be an effective way to contribute to reaching the government goals of expanding rice production to become self-sufficient and improving rice quality to compete with imported rice. While there is a large empirical literature on contract-farming in high-value and commodity export sectors, studies on contract-farming in Staple Food sectors are very scarce. Our results document that contract-farming for Staple Food crops can be sustainable and benefit smallholder farmers; which is against theoretical expectations that contracting for Staple Food crops is not feasible because of contract-enforcement problems that stem from a low value of produce, low storage and transport costs, and a larger number of buyers in the chain. Our study contributes to understanding the role that contract-farming might play in the much needed upgrading of domestic and Staple Food crop sectors in developing countries.
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impact of contract farming in Staple Food chains the case of rice in benin
2014 International Congress August 26-29 2014 Ljubljana Slovenia, 2014Co-Authors: Katrien Vande Velde, Miet MaertensAbstract:Research on the impact of smallholder contract-farming largely focuses on exportoriented high-value commodities. Little is known about the possibility of contract-farming for upgrading in Staple Food chains. While theoretical insights predict contract-farming to be infeasible for lower-value Staple Food crops, empirical evidence from such sectors is extremely scarce. In this paper, we provide evidence on smallholder contract-farming in the rice sector in Benin. We use cross-sectional household data and propensity score matching methods to analyze the impact of contract-farming on selected farm performance indicators. The findings indicate that contract-farming has a positive impact on rice productivity and income.
Nicole M Mason - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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putting the 2007 2008 global Food crisis in longer term perspective trends in Staple Food affordability in urban zambia and kenya
Food Policy, 2011Co-Authors: Nicole M Mason, Antony Chapoto, Thomas S. Jayne, Cynthia DonovanAbstract:Staple Food prices in cities in eastern and southern Africa rose sharply between late 2007 and early 2009, leading to estimates of massive increases in Food insecurity and hunger. However, in assessing the impacts of soaring Food prices on urban consumers' access to Food it is important to consider Food price changes relative to changes in per capita incomes. In this study, we use the case studies of Zambia and Kenya, where data are available on Food prices, wage rates, incomes, and other indicators of urban purchasing power to answer two main questions: (i) how did Staple Food purchasing power at the height of the Food price crisis compare to levels over the last 15Â years? and (ii) did the Food price crisis exacerbate an already declining trend in Staple Food purchasing power, or did it reverse a trend of stable or improving Staple Food affordability? Results indicate that Staple Food purchasing power in urban Zambia and Kenya improved markedly in the 10-12Â years prior to the Food price crisis. Most measures of bread and maize meal affordability at the start of the crisis in 2007 were at levels 1.0-4.3 times higher than in the mid-1990s. These gains for urban consumers were slashed but not completely reversed during the Food crisis. Between 2007 and 2009, maize meal and bread were still more affordable in urban Zambia than all periods between 1994 and 2003. In urban Kenya, Staple Food purchasing power as of 2008/2009 was comparable to levels in 2000/2001-2004/2005 according to some indicators, while other measures suggest that the Food price crisis reduced Staple Food purchasing power to levels lower than any other year in the period 1994/1995-2007/2008.
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Staple Food consumption patterns in urban zambia results from the 2007 2008 urban consumption survey
Food Security Collaborative Policy Briefs, 2009Co-Authors: Nicole M Mason, Thomas S. JayneAbstract:• The Zambia Urban Consumption Survey, a survey of 1,865 urban households in Lusaka, Kitwe, Mansa, and Kasama, was conducted in August 2007 and February 2008 by the Central Statistical Office in collaboration with the Zambia Food Security Research Project. • Survey results indicate that in Lusaka and Kitwe, wheat has overtaken maize as the most important Staple in terms of urban consumer expenditures. Maize is no longer the dominant Staple Food in urban Zambia, except among the poor. This finding is consistent with broader regional trends toward declining dependence on maize for urban Staple Food needs. • Hammer-milling services are readily available to the vast majority of urban households and in most cases their cheapest maize meal option is to obtain maize grain and have it custom-milled for a fee. However, maize grain is not consistently available in public markets during the lean season (December-March). GRZ could promote urban Food security by ensuring that maize grain is available in public markets at all times. • In Kasama and Mansa, and particularly among relatively poor households, cassava is an important consumption item and serves as a buffer against high maize prices and poor maize grain availability during the lean season. • Supermarkets have only 5-17% of the market share for Staple Foods and are frequented mainly by wealthier households. Urban consumers are heavily dependent upon non-supermarket, informal retail outlets such as public markets and grocers for their Staple Food purchases. Policies and public investments to support these traditional retailers, help them operate more efficiently, and reduce the transaction costs they face may have higher payoffs for most urban consumers as well as smallholder farmers than policies presupposing the rapid takeover of supermarkets and other more formal retail channels.
Thomas S. Jayne - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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putting the 2007 2008 global Food crisis in longer term perspective trends in Staple Food affordability in urban zambia and kenya
Food Policy, 2011Co-Authors: Nicole M Mason, Antony Chapoto, Thomas S. Jayne, Cynthia DonovanAbstract:Staple Food prices in cities in eastern and southern Africa rose sharply between late 2007 and early 2009, leading to estimates of massive increases in Food insecurity and hunger. However, in assessing the impacts of soaring Food prices on urban consumers' access to Food it is important to consider Food price changes relative to changes in per capita incomes. In this study, we use the case studies of Zambia and Kenya, where data are available on Food prices, wage rates, incomes, and other indicators of urban purchasing power to answer two main questions: (i) how did Staple Food purchasing power at the height of the Food price crisis compare to levels over the last 15Â years? and (ii) did the Food price crisis exacerbate an already declining trend in Staple Food purchasing power, or did it reverse a trend of stable or improving Staple Food affordability? Results indicate that Staple Food purchasing power in urban Zambia and Kenya improved markedly in the 10-12Â years prior to the Food price crisis. Most measures of bread and maize meal affordability at the start of the crisis in 2007 were at levels 1.0-4.3 times higher than in the mid-1990s. These gains for urban consumers were slashed but not completely reversed during the Food crisis. Between 2007 and 2009, maize meal and bread were still more affordable in urban Zambia than all periods between 1994 and 2003. In urban Kenya, Staple Food purchasing power as of 2008/2009 was comparable to levels in 2000/2001-2004/2005 according to some indicators, while other measures suggest that the Food price crisis reduced Staple Food purchasing power to levels lower than any other year in the period 1994/1995-2007/2008.
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Staple Food consumption patterns in urban zambia results from the 2007 2008 urban consumption survey
Food Security Collaborative Policy Briefs, 2009Co-Authors: Nicole M Mason, Thomas S. JayneAbstract:• The Zambia Urban Consumption Survey, a survey of 1,865 urban households in Lusaka, Kitwe, Mansa, and Kasama, was conducted in August 2007 and February 2008 by the Central Statistical Office in collaboration with the Zambia Food Security Research Project. • Survey results indicate that in Lusaka and Kitwe, wheat has overtaken maize as the most important Staple in terms of urban consumer expenditures. Maize is no longer the dominant Staple Food in urban Zambia, except among the poor. This finding is consistent with broader regional trends toward declining dependence on maize for urban Staple Food needs. • Hammer-milling services are readily available to the vast majority of urban households and in most cases their cheapest maize meal option is to obtain maize grain and have it custom-milled for a fee. However, maize grain is not consistently available in public markets during the lean season (December-March). GRZ could promote urban Food security by ensuring that maize grain is available in public markets at all times. • In Kasama and Mansa, and particularly among relatively poor households, cassava is an important consumption item and serves as a buffer against high maize prices and poor maize grain availability during the lean season. • Supermarkets have only 5-17% of the market share for Staple Foods and are frequented mainly by wealthier households. Urban consumers are heavily dependent upon non-supermarket, informal retail outlets such as public markets and grocers for their Staple Food purchases. Policies and public investments to support these traditional retailers, help them operate more efficiently, and reduce the transaction costs they face may have higher payoffs for most urban consumers as well as smallholder farmers than policies presupposing the rapid takeover of supermarkets and other more formal retail channels.
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Staple Food consumption patterns in urban kenya trends and policy implications
Research Papers in Economics, 2005Co-Authors: Milu Muyanga, Thomas S. Jayne, Gem Argwingskodhek, Joshua ArigaAbstract:Tegemeo Agricultural Monitoring and Policy Analysis Project (TAMPA) between Tegemeo Insitute/Egerton University and the Department of Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University. Financial support for this project is provided by the Kenya Mission of the United States Agency for International Development. Additional support is also provided by MSU through resources from the Food Security III Cooperative Agreement.