Table 4.
Reference | Country | Study Population | Method and Study Design | Results | Conclusion |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sweet potato | |||||
Mazuze (2004)61 | Mozambique |
|
Cross-sectional study. Structured questionnaire (about growing and adoption of OFSP) |
|
OFSP adoption can be improved by providing credit for animal traction, improving drainage systems, and providing access to more drought-tolerant vines. More research into postharvest processing and storage of roots would help to reduce the low availability of roots due to seasonal planting |
Low et al. (2007)24 | Mozambique |
|
|
Production expanded from 33 to 359 m2; participation in OFSP production and sales increased in intervention households but decreased in control households; 90% of intervention households grew OFSP compared with 11% in control; SP production increased from 73 kg to 127 kg (71% OFSP); Percentage households selling increased from 13% to 30%, but no increase for households; > 50% of children in intervention consumed OFSP at least 3 out of 7 d as compared with 4%–8% of control children | Integrated promotion of OFSP has potential to increase adoption of OFSP and increase consumption |
Hotz et al. (2012)22 | Mozambique |
|
Randomized controlled effectiveness trial (2.5 y) with 3 arms: control, OFSP distribution plus 1 y or 2 y intensive training | 77% adoption; share of OFSP cultivated area increased from 9% to 56%; OFSP intake significantly increased in intervention groups for 6–35 mo (46 g/d), 3–5.5 y (48 g/d), and women (97 g/d) compared with control; no difference in effect between the 2 intervention groups | OFSP is well adopted and consumed after introduction; group-level trainings in nutrition and agriculture could be limited to the first year of project without compromising impact |
Hotz et al. (2012)23 | Uganda |
|
Randomized controlled effectiveness trial (2 y) with 3 arms: control, OFSP distribution plus 1 y or 2 y intensive training | OFSP intake increased in both intervention groups (P < 0.01), accounting for 44%–60% of vitamin A intake at follow up. Prevalence of inadequate vitamin A intake was reduced among children 6–35 mo (> 30 percentage points) and women (> 25 percentage points), with no difference between intervention groups | SP was adopted and grown by farmers resulting in incorporation of OFSP into the diets of women and children with a measurable impact on vitamin A status in children |
Fetuga et al. (2013)62 | Nigeria |
|
Cross-sectional study. Structured questionnaire (OFSP processing, OFSP amala (stiff porridge) consumption, OFSP awareness) |
|
|
Gilligan et al. (2014)63 | Uganda |
|
Household survey on adoption rate and comparison of intrahousehold bargaining power based on asset ownership and control over land use | Adoption rate in season 1 was high (90%) but declined to 69% in season 4, varying per district, due to vines drying up, no access to new planting material, insufficient availability of labor available, and dislike of crop. Among female-headed households (11%), exclusive control over land was positively associated with OFSP adoption. This association was absent among male-headed households. OFSP adoption was associated with age of the head of household, knowledge of vitamin A, and total land area cultivated with sweet potato. Women with a high share of nonland assets ownership were less likely to grow OFSP | OFSP was well adopted in this region of Uganda. Female bargaining power does not unambiguously increase the probability that a household adopted OFSP in response to the project. The probability of adopting OFSP was lowest on parcels exclusively owned by men and largest on parcels jointly owned by males and females with women in the lead. Engaging with both men and women might be the best strategy to promote adoption |
De Brauw et al. (2015)69 | Mozambique |
|
Randomized controlled effectiveness trial (2.5 y) with 3 arms: control, OFSP distribution plus 1 y or 2 y intensive training | Children in households with more participation had higher dietary vitamin A density, and slightly higher mean micronutrient density and dietary diversity | Intensity of participation in extension activities is associated with larger project impact |
Yanggen and Nagujja (2006)64 | Uganda |
|
Cross-sectional survey with questionnaires, key-informant interviews and focus group discussions (women only, men only, and mixed groups) | 64% of farmers adopted OFSP in intervention compared with 22% in nonintervention areas. Main OFSP production constraints were pests and diseases (especially weevils), drought, and availability of vines (no commercial vine distribution), followed by lack of capital and labor. Major favorable characteristics farmers look for are yield, sweet taste, early maturity, and drought resistance, followed by consumer characteristics like tuber quality, good price, high dry matter, color, good storability, low fiber, and nutritional content. Nutrition content comes last as favorable characteristic, only mentioned by women (as 4th most important) but not by men. Most important information sources were nongovernmental organizations, fellow farmers, and agricultural extension workers | Nutrition concerns cannot be depended upon to push the adoption of OFSP. OFSP must be competitive with white and yellow varieties in terms of agronomic, consumer, and economic characteristics (in terms of yields, taste, price, etc) if it is to be successful. Nutrition education campaigns must be an integral part of the promotion of OFSP |
Machira et al. (2013)70 | Kenya |
|
Interviews and focus group discussion with key persons about an integrated nutrition, agriculture, and health intervention that delivers OFSP through antenatal care services in western Kenya | Food security and health benefits were most recognized by participants. Mothers indicated that their children were less susceptible to disease and were more energetic; shorter maturation and higher yield of OFSP were also valued. Health workers perceived higher antenatal care attendance and increased healthcare-seeking behavior as benefits. Challenges were distance to health facility, misperceptions (OFSP = contraceptive), need for continuous community sensitization, and increased workload with remuneration for community volunteers and vine multipliers | Perceived benefits and motivating factors outweighed challenges of integrating OFSP with antenatal care service |
Maize | |||||
Tschirley and Santos (1995)65 | Mozambique |
|
Cross-sectional study | 22% of households consumed predominantly yellow maize. Consumers of yellow maize had substantially lower income than white maize consumers. Highest income consumers were the least likely to consume yellow maize | Yellow maize is well accepted, especially among poor consumers |
Muzhingi et al. (2008)66 | Zimbabwe |
|
Cross-sectional study (in-depth questionnaires, focus groups discussion) | Yellow maize was known by most respondents but mainly from food aid. Link with food aid and bad taste (due to organoleptic changes during storage) were seen as negative aspects of yellow maize. Nutrition information on vitamin A and taste were significant contributors to acceptance | Acceptance could be improved if nutrition knowledge was increased |
Khumalo et al. (2011)51 | South Africa |
|
Focus group discussions (consumer attitudes, perceptions, and practices) of maize porridge prepared from several types of white and yellow maize meal | Preference for yellow maize related to knowledge of the presence of vitamin A in yellow maize meal (acquired during previous training in 2004), availability (during drought as relief food), and price determined whether yellow maize is bought | Acceptability of yellow maize mainly related to nutritional reasons. Availability was the largest obstacle |
Govender et al. (2014)52 | South Africa |
|
Focus group discussions (acceptability of provitamin A–biofortified maize for preparing maize porridge for their infants) | Yellow maize is not sold in supermarkets, suggesting that white maize is of better quality. Yellow maize considered to be for poor people or animals. Affordability, availability, and health benefit were reasons for being willing to give provitamin A–biofortified maize porridge to their infants | Affordability, availability, and health benefit were important determinants of accepting provitamin A–biofortified maize as infant food |
Schmaelzle et al. (2014)25 | Zambia |
|
Randomized controlled feeding trial with 3 arms: porridge (nsima) of orange maize and placebo oil; of white maize and placebo oil; of white maize and vitamin A supplement | Orange group consumed less nsima (276 ± 36 g) than white groups (288 ± 26 g and 288 ± 25 g, P = 0.08), with consumption fluctuation between weeks, and no difference in total food intake and relish intake. Mothers and staff preferred orange maize because of softer structure and sweeter flavor than the white maize; because of texture it was difficult to use orange maize nsima to scoop up relishes | Implementation and adoption of new and biofortified foods is possible with promotion, especially in very traditional cultures that are deeply connected to their food |
Cassava | |||||
González et al. (2009)58 | Brazil |
|
Cross-sectional study on genetically engineered cassava. Structured questionnaire after explanation about genetically engineered yellow cassava | 25% of respondents had ever heard about genetic engineering, 22% found it a possible health risk. Age, trust in authorities, perceived health risk, and access to media influenced consumer support of genetically engineered crops | Attitudes toward genetically engineered biofortified yellow cassava is positive |
González et al. (2011)59 | Brazil |
|
|
15% of farmers planted the yellow cassava 1 y after the release (early adoption rate), and 62% said they would do so next year (potential/intentional adoption rate), because of the better nutritional content. Reasons for not adopting were low availability of seeds and taste. From the farmers who received seeds, 63% planted them. Key factors were receiving information, involvement in previous participatory research, and knowledge about nutritional advantages | To increase early adoption of yellow cassava, it is important to increase the nutrition knowledge, have high availability of seeds, and use information and socialization among producers |
Uwiringiyimana (2012)67 | Benin |
|
|
90% had intention to prepare yellow cassava for their children 2 or more times a week. Health behavior identity, knowledge, and perceived susceptibility predicted intention to consume yellow behavior, as well as cues to action | Intention can be increased by increasing knowledge on vitamin A deficiency and health benefits of yellow cassava and increasing positive triggers as recommendations from influential people and educational campaigns |
Talsma et al. (2013)20 | Kenya |
|
|
Almost all had intention to prepare yellow cassava for their children, of which 64% were willing to do so 2 or more times per week. Knowledge about provitamin A–rich cassava and its relation to health was a strong predictor of health behavior identity. Worries related to bitter taste and color, belief about being in control to prepare cassava, and activities such as information sessions about provitamin A–rich cassava and recommendations from health workers predicted intention to consume provitamin A–rich cassava | The yellow color is no barrier for consumption. Intention to consume can be increased by reducing barriers (like worries about color, taste, texture, and bitterness); by increasing knowledge on vitamin A deficiency and provitamin A–rich cassava; by empowering mothers to decide what to cook; and by involving health workers in the promotion of yellow cassava |
Rice | |||||
De Steur et al. (2013)71 | China |
|
Cross-sectional study questionnaire (perceptions on genetically engineered folate-biofortified rice) | Taste and health are the most important attributes for rice purchase, followed by price and external appearance. Respondents answered correctly on 42% of the questions concerning knowledge of genetically engineered foods. 62% of respondents were in favor of genetically engineered folate biofortification of rice. A negative change in taste decreased this proportion to 28%, environmental impact decreased it to 29%, price decreased it to 35%, availability decreased it to 41%, external appearance decreased it to 46% and cultivation potential decreased it to 50% | Initial acceptance rate would be halved if genetically engineered folate-biofortified rice would have a negative effect on taste, price, or the environment. Multiple attributes should be taken into account in the development of biofortified crops |
De Steur et al. (2015)60 | China |
|
Cross-sectional study. Questionnaire on genetically engineered rice, including false/true statements, 5-point hedonic scale statements, a knowledge score, 4 additional scores (benefits, risks, safety, price), overall trust scores for information channels or sources | 66.5% in favor of nutritionally enriched rice; 39% had limited knowledge about genetically engineered food; 3 groups of consumers: enthusiasts (14%: health, lower pesticide use, males, rural, farmer), cautious (41%; positive on safety, females, urban); and opponents (45%; side effects, including biodiversity, females, low income, rural). Enthusiastic respondents have a more positive attitude | There is a promising (segmented) market potential for second-generation genetically engineered products |
Beans | |||||
Asare-Marfo et al. (2016)68 | Rwanda |
|
Cross-sectional impact assessment study by listing exercise to identify HIB growers among bean-producing households with questionnaires | Over the last 5 y, of the 93% households that grew beans, 29% respondents indicated to have grown an HIB variety. Out of the 84% of farmers who indicated to have grown beans in the second season of 2015, 21% have grown at least 1 HIB variety. Within the country this varied by location, with Eastern Province having higher adoption rates. Adoption rate was further determined by yield, easiness to farm the variety, commercial value, and availability of seeds. The main source of first planting material were the markets (41%) and social networks (23%) | Adoption rates of HIB varieties in Rwanda are very promising |
Abbreviations: F, female; HIB, high-iron bean; M, male; OFSP, orange-fleshed sweet potato; SP, sweet potato.