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Global Legume Researchers Meeting

Achieving Concurrent Agricultural Productivity and Nutrition Goals

Through Research

Patrick Webb Feed the Future Nutrition Innovation Lab

May 2014

Athens, Greece

Twin pillars of USAID Feed the Future: Accelerate agriculture growth through improved agricultural productivity, expanded markets and trade in vulnerable areas. Improve nutritional status of individuals through access to diverse quality foods and by strengthening prevention/treatment of undernutrition.

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Source: Black et al. (2013) Lancet series II

Lancet Series 2013

Undernutrition in all its forms is responsible for 45% of all under five child deaths, representing more than 3 million deaths each year.

160 million children

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But, thats only a 20% reduction, leaving 80% of the problem to be solved! Recent global average rate of reduction in stunting

has been -2.1% per year. But in 34 countries with highest rates of stunting

average was just -1.7% per year.

Cowpea enriched porridge provides another opportunity for value addition that can significantly improve infant and child nutrition.

USAID RFP March 2013

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The traditional food basket contains a cereal, pulses, oil, salt and a fortified blended food.

WFP NUTRITION POLICY (January 2012)

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Developing country legume/pulse net supply

Source: FAOSTAT

2009

Tonn

es

1

3

6

1961

1975

1985

1998

2012

Developing country production

Yes, we need research on how to promote higher, better, more resilient, sustained levels of legume production!

Higher calorie intake has improved nutrition and health. CGIAR (1996) Annual Report 1995-96

Merely producing more food does not ensure food security or improved nutrition. (Herforth (2012) World Bank)

Agriculture interventions do not always contribute to

positive nutritional outcomes. (FAO 2012)

Upstream Agronomy

Downstream Nutrition

Cultivar selection, breeding

Multiplication, marketing

Farm adoption

Household income

Household consumption

Improved nutrient supply

Improved nutrition

Midstream Value-chain

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New crop

Higher productivity

Higher income, consumption

Higher labor and inputs

Net return/day of

labor X3

Net rise in real income

13%/hh

10% income rise = 4.8% rise in calorie supply

Child nutrition improved

(but less than expected)

10% rise in calories = 2.4% fall in

undernutrition

Source: von Braun et al. (1989)

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Neglected biological mechanisms

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Antinutrients

Potential Nutrition

Confounders

Potential Income

Confounders

Opportunity costs of time

Gendered control of

income

Uses of income from agriculture

Entry barriers (participation)

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Mycotoxins and legumes Biochemical analysis presented that Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporum decreased protein content, carbohydrates, fat, fibers and ash compared with un-infected legume seeds.

Embaby and Abdel-Galil (2006) Jou. Applied Sci. Res.

A majority of observational studies has found strong

associations between aflatoxin exposure and stunted fetal, infant, and child growth.

Leroy (2013) IFPRI

http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2011/01/18/pnutsd1b_1.jpg

Iron absorption studies: Rwandan women with low iron status.

Source: Petry et al. (2012) Common Bean Has Limited Potential as a Vehicle for Iron Biofortification (Jou. Nutr.)

Human iron absorption from beans high in polyphenols 27% lower (P

19 Source: Maredia 2012

20 Source: Maredia 2012

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Conclusions 1. Yes, legumes can support improved nutrition. But legume

researchers need to help empirically demonstrate it.

2. We all need more honesty about feasible contributions to nutrition, and rigor (appropriate study designs/methods).

3. More explicit logical framework and value-chain analyses needed to identify most cost-effective contributions of legumes to nutrition.

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