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The nutritional quality of cereals varies geospatially in Ethiopia and Malawi

Author

Listed:
  • D. Gashu

    (Addis Ababa University)

  • P. C. Nalivata

    (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR))

  • T. Amede

    (International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT))

  • E. L. Ander

    (British Geological Survey)

  • E. H. Bailey

    (University of Nottingham)

  • L. Botoman

    (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)
    The Department of Agricultural Research Services)

  • C. Chagumaira

    (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)
    University of Nottingham
    University of Nottingham
    Rothamsted Research)

  • S. Gameda

    (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT))

  • S. M. Haefele

    (Rothamsted Research)

  • K. Hailu

    (Addis Ababa University
    Addis Ababa Science and Technology University)

  • E. J. M. Joy

    (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

  • A. A. Kalimbira

    (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR))

  • D. B. Kumssa

    (University of Nottingham)

  • R. M. Lark

    (University of Nottingham
    University of Nottingham)

  • I. S. Ligowe

    (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)
    The Department of Agricultural Research Services)

  • S. P. McGrath

    (Rothamsted Research)

  • A. E. Milne

    (Rothamsted Research)

  • A. W. Mossa

    (University of Nottingham)

  • M. Munthali

    (The Department of Agricultural Research Services)

  • E. K. Towett

    (World Agroforestry (ICRAF))

  • M. G. Walsh

    (Selian Agricultural Research Institute)

  • L. Wilson

    (University of Nottingham)

  • S. D. Young

    (University of Nottingham)

  • M. R. Broadley

    (University of Nottingham)

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) remain widespread among people in sub-Saharan Africa1–5, where access to sufficient food from plant and animal sources that is rich in micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) is limited due to socioeconomic and geographical reasons4–6. Here we report the micronutrient composition (calcium, iron, selenium and zinc) of staple cereal grains for most of the cereal production areas in Ethiopia and Malawi. We show that there is geospatial variation in the composition of micronutrients that is nutritionally important at subnational scales. Soil and environmental covariates of grain micronutrient concentrations included soil pH, soil organic matter, temperature, rainfall and topography, which were specific to micronutrient and crop type. For rural households consuming locally sourced food—including many smallholder farming communities—the location of residence can be the largest influencing factor in determining the dietary intake of micronutrients from cereals. Positive relationships between the concentration of selenium in grain and biomarkers of selenium dietary status occur in both countries. Surveillance of MNDs on the basis of biomarkers of status and dietary intakes from national- and regional-scale food-composition data1–7 could be improved using subnational data on the composition of grain micronutrients. Beyond dietary diversification, interventions to alleviate MNDs, such as food fortification8,9 and biofortification to increase the micronutrient concentrations in crops10,11, should account for geographical effects that can be larger in magnitude than intervention outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Gashu & P. C. Nalivata & T. Amede & E. L. Ander & E. H. Bailey & L. Botoman & C. Chagumaira & S. Gameda & S. M. Haefele & K. Hailu & E. J. M. Joy & A. A. Kalimbira & D. B. Kumssa & R. M. Lark & I. , 2021. "The nutritional quality of cereals varies geospatially in Ethiopia and Malawi," Nature, Nature, vol. 594(7861), pages 71-76, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:594:y:2021:i:7861:d:10.1038_s41586-021-03559-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03559-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhongmin Dai & Xu Guo & Jiahui Lin & Xiu Wang & Dan He & Rujiong Zeng & Jun Meng & Jipeng Luo & Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo & Eduardo Moreno-Jiménez & Philip C. Brookes & Jianming Xu, 2023. "Metallic micronutrients are associated with the structure and function of the soil microbiome," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Joanna Upton & Elizabeth Tennant & Kathryn J. Fiorella & Christopher B. Barrett, 2023. "COVID-19, Household Resilience, and Rural Food Systems: Evidence from Southern and Eastern Africa," Palgrave Studies in Agricultural Economics and Food Policy, in: Christophe Béné & Stephen Devereux (ed.), Resilience and Food Security in a Food Systems Context, chapter 0, pages 281-320, Palgrave Macmillan.
    3. Julie Tolu & Sylvain Bouchet & Julian Helfenstein & Olivia Hausheer & Sarah Chékifi & Emmanuel Frossard & Federica Tamburini & Oliver A. Chadwick & Lenny H. E. Winkel, 2022. "Understanding soil selenium accumulation and bioavailability through size resolved and elemental characterization of soil extracts," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Leah E. M. Bevis & Kichan Kim, 2022. "Soil mineral availability and human mineral status: A review and evidence from Malawi," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(2), pages 822-847, June.
    5. Bevis, Leah & Kim, Kichan & Guerena, David, 2023. "Soil zinc deficiency and child stunting: Evidence from Nepal," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).

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