Atanasova Petya, Singh Samrat, Adebayo Adedotun, Adekunle Folashade, Adesanmi Abimbola
Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK.
Nutrients. 2025 Mar 15;17(6):1036. doi: 10.3390/nu17061036.
Nigeria has one of the highest prevalences of micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) globally. Biofortification is a sustainable and cost-effective intervention to reduce MNDs. We investigated the current availability, affordability, individual perceptions and preferences regarding biofortified crops in three states in Nigeria (Enugu, Ogun and Kaduna). We investigated potential dietary quality improvements by modifying standardized school meals with biofortified crops. We conducted a field market survey, key informant interviews and a simulation study. The availability and prices of biofortified crops from 36 preselected markets were systematically recorded. Consumers and sellers were interviewed regarding their awareness of and preferences for biofortified crops. The inclusion of biofortified foods in weekly school meals was simulated to evaluate dietary quality improvements and costs. Three key informant interviews were conducted to understand the scalability of biofortified crops. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were employed in the data analysis. Overall, 39% (total of n = 730) of the recorded crops were identified as biofortified. Biofortified cassava, sweet potatoes and millet were more expensive compared to non-biofortified equivalents. Moreover, 30% (total of n = 730) of the consumers could visually differentiate between the crops, 14% were aware that they were biofortified and 10% preferred biofortified options. The inclusion of biofortified foods in traditional school meals led to higher levels of vitamin A, zinc and iron. The key informant interviews highlighted that scaling biofortification is challenging, requiring individual behavioral change, significant investments in educational campaigns and improvements in supply and demand. The current state of biofortification has limited reach due to limited availability, affordability and consumer preferences.
尼日利亚是全球微量营养素缺乏症（MNDs）患病率最高的国家之一。生物强化是一种可持续且具有成本效益的减少微量营养素缺乏症的干预措施。我们调查了尼日利亚三个州（埃努古、奥贡和卡杜纳）目前生物强化作物的可得性、可负担性、个人认知及偏好情况。我们研究了通过用生物强化作物改良标准化学校膳食来改善潜在饮食质量的情况。我们开展了一项实地市场调查、关键信息提供者访谈及一项模拟研究。系统记录了36个预选市场上生物强化作物的可得性和价格。就消费者和销售者对生物强化作物的认知及偏好进行了访谈。模拟在每周学校膳食中加入生物强化食品，以评估饮食质量的改善情况及成本。进行了三次关键信息提供者访谈，以了解生物强化作物的推广可行性。数据分析采用了定性和定量技术。总体而言，记录的作物中有39%（共730种）被确定为生物强化作物。与非生物强化的同类作物相比，生物强化木薯、红薯和小米价格更高。此外，30%（共730名）的消费者能够从外观上区分这些作物，14%的人知道它们是生物强化作物，10%的人更喜欢生物强化作物。在传统学校膳食中加入生物强化食品可提高维生素A、锌和铁的含量。关键信息提供者访谈强调，扩大生物强化规模具有挑战性，需要个人行为改变、在教育宣传方面进行大量投资以及改善供需情况。由于可得性、可负担性及消费者偏好有限，目前生物强化的现状影响范围有限。
