Improved nutrition in Zambia – the role of agricultural research

1. Agricultural Research for
Improved Nutrition in Zambia
UNZA, SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL
SCIENCES
20/03/2012

2. UNZA RESEARCH STRUCTURE
DIRECTORATE
OF RESEARCH
INSTITUTE AST DEAN DIRECTORATES
RESEARCH SCHOOL RES. RESEARCH
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3. SCHOOL OF AGRICLUTURAL SCIENCE
RESEARCHABLE AREAS
The research activities in the school are involved
at Academic, Postgraduate, Graduate and Public
and collaborative
• Crop improvement (Varietal development)
• Livestock production and improvement
• Food and Nutrition Security
• Development and the study of technologies to
increase productivity
Our research has national, regional and
international relevance.
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4. Nutrition Programme
– Local small fish nutrient composition and impact on
malnutrition in various forms (collaborative between
WFC, FAO, EU, MAL, KKACF nutrition project, )
– Characterization and nutrient composition of edible
plants of Zambia (USAID-ARCH
Project, NFNC, MOH, VSO)
– Chemical and functional Characterization of edible
plant anti-oxidants Ph.D. research.
– Food quality, safety and utilization in a value chain
cassava research and development in a south-north
Private and Public sector collaboration
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5. ZERO IN ON SMALL FISH SUN1000
CRITICAL DAYS OF LIFE
• Fish rich in both macro and micro nutrients
• Good quality proteins (16-28%) and fats
• Essential fats (Omega-3 human
effective, Vitamins and minerals (0.25-25.0%)
necessary for repair and maintenance
• Proteins with a digestibility of 85-95% with
amino acids comparable to milk and egg.
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6. Opportunity for SUN1000 IN ZAMBIA
• Zambia is home and allows passage to the sea
of 40% Africa’s fresh water
• 65% of her population is rural, an opportunity
to Aquaculture
• Various species of small fish grow on their
own
• Fish is most consumed animal protein
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7. Estimated kapenta and chisense
production (metric tons)
Fishery Kapenta Chisense
Tanganyika 11,000
Kariba 30,000
Cahora Bassa 12,000
(Mozambique)
Mweru-Luapula 35,000
Mweru-Wa-Ntipa 2,000
Bangweulu 10,000
TOTAL 53,000 47,000

8. Selected nutrient contents of kapenta and chisense in Zambia
Nutrients Chisense Kapenta Kapenta
from Lake from Lake from Lake
Mweru-wa- Tanganyika Kariba
Ntipa
Calcium (mg kg-1 dry wt) 23,900 23,600 31,000
Iron (mg kg-1 dry wt) 79.1 159.0 101.0
Zinc (mg kg-1 dry wt) 140.0 110.0 156.0
Retinol (μg kg-1 x 102) 32 8 22
α-tocopherol (μg kg-1 x 102) 186 101 155
Thiamine (mg kg-1 dry wt) 1.7 2.3 1.6
Niacin (mg kg-1 dry wt) 137.0 216.0 152.0
Pyridoxin (mg kg-1 dry wt) 3.8 3.2 3.6
Protein (g kg-1 dry wt) 702 669 731
Source: Adapted from Steiner-Asiedu et al 1993

10. 24 Hour Food Intake Recall of Foods
Consumed During the Day
Major Food Item Clients count recall
Total count Nasenga Moomba Chawama Chelston
Sweet potatoes + 36 6 12 1 16
tea
Buns /bread/fritters 50 2 9 5 34
+ tea
Nshima/ vegetables 118 38 40 4 36
Nshima with fish 34 5 6 4 11
Nshima and 14 2 1 - 11
chicken
Nshima + pork 6 - 2 - 4
Nshima + beef 27 - 5 - 22
Porridge /nuts 13 4 4 1 1
Nothing 22 7 11 - 3
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11. Chisense Measured at market

12. Research Done So Far
(UNZA/WFC/FAO/EU/SIDA)
• Desk study on fish consumption among the
nutritionally challenges and poor H/H
• Baseline study on nutritional status, food security and
fish consumption of People Living With HIV/AIDS in
Zambia (WFC, UNZA)
• Chisense Res. GOAL: To contribute to improved food
and nutrition security among the poor in Zambia
• Aquaculture for Food Security, Poverty Alleviation and
Nutrition: Make a case study for Zambia. FAO/WFC/EU
Funds limited on all of them to conduct a statistically
informed nutrition study for inference and no practical
feeding
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13. QUICK CHISENSE RESEARCH WINS
SUN1000 & Feed the Future
Targeted small fish research:
• Composition of Chisense- critical nutrients
• Improving yields, quality, shelf life
• Cooked with other foods (vegetables and
porridges)
• Dev products for after weaning (6-24 month) and
mother’s pregnancy and B/feeding
• Staple Crop context - Can we invest a little in
nutrition diversification
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