Zinc agronomic biofortification of staple crops may be a cost-effective strategy to alleviate zinc deficiency in Ethiopia
BackgroundInadequate dietary zinc (Zn) supplies and Zn deficiency (ZnD) are prevalent in Ethiopia, where cereals are major dietary sources, yet low in bioavailable Zn. Zinc agronomic biofortification (ZAB) of staple crops through application of Zn fertilizers may contribute to alleviating ZnD. Howev...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1037161/full |
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| author | Abdu Oumer Abdu Hugo De Groote Edward J. M. Joy Edward J. M. Joy Diriba B. Kumssa Martin R. Broadley Martin R. Broadley Dawd Gashu |
| author_facet | Abdu Oumer Abdu Hugo De Groote Edward J. M. Joy Edward J. M. Joy Diriba B. Kumssa Martin R. Broadley Martin R. Broadley Dawd Gashu |
| author_sort | Abdu Oumer Abdu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundInadequate dietary zinc (Zn) supplies and Zn deficiency (ZnD) are prevalent in Ethiopia, where cereals are major dietary sources, yet low in bioavailable Zn. Zinc agronomic biofortification (ZAB) of staple crops through application of Zn fertilizers may contribute to alleviating ZnD. However, large-scale promotion and adoption of ZAB requires evidence of the feasibility and public health benefits. This paper aimed to quantify the potential cost-effectiveness of ZAB of staple crops for alleviating ZnD in Ethiopia.MethodsCurrent burden of ZnD among children in Ethiopia was quantified using a disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) framework. Evidence on baseline dietary Zn intake, cereal consumption, and fertilizer response ratio was compiled from existing literature and secondary data sources. Reduction in the burden of ZnD attributable to ZAB of three staple cereals (maize, teff, and wheat) via granular and foliar Zn fertilizer applications was calculated under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. The associated costs for fertilizer, labor, and equipment were estimated in proportion to the cropping area and compared against DALYs saved and the national Gross Domestic Product capita–1.ResultsAn estimated 0.55 million DALYs are lost annually due to ZnD, mainly due to ZnD-related mortality (91%). The ZAB of staple cereals via granular Zn fertilizer could reduce the burden of ZnD by 29 and 38% under pessimistic and optimistic scenarios, respectively; the respective values for ZAB via foliar application were 32 and 40%. The ZAB of staple cereals via granular fertilizer costs US$502 and US$505 to avert each DALY lost under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios, respectively; the respective values for ZAB via foliar application were US$226 and US$ 496. Foliar Zn application in combination with existing pesticide use could reduce costs to US$260–353 for each DALY saved. Overall, ZAB of teff and wheat were found to be more cost-effective in addressing ZnD compared to maize, which is less responsive to Zn fertilizer.ConclusionZAB of staple crops via granular or foliar applications could be a cost-effective strategy to address ZnD, which can be integrated with the existing fertilizer scheme and pesticide use to minimize the associated costs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T21:58:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-750ef097119a46939b499bcb28b9592c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T21:58:18Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-750ef097119a46939b499bcb28b9592c2022-12-22T02:28:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2022-11-01910.3389/fnut.2022.10371611037161Zinc agronomic biofortification of staple crops may be a cost-effective strategy to alleviate zinc deficiency in EthiopiaAbdu Oumer Abdu0Hugo De Groote1Edward J. M. Joy2Edward J. M. Joy3Diriba B. Kumssa4Martin R. Broadley5Martin R. Broadley6Dawd Gashu7Center for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaSustainable Agrifood Systems Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Nairobi, KenyaFaculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United KingdomRothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, United KingdomSchool of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United KingdomRothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, United KingdomSchool of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United KingdomCenter for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaBackgroundInadequate dietary zinc (Zn) supplies and Zn deficiency (ZnD) are prevalent in Ethiopia, where cereals are major dietary sources, yet low in bioavailable Zn. Zinc agronomic biofortification (ZAB) of staple crops through application of Zn fertilizers may contribute to alleviating ZnD. However, large-scale promotion and adoption of ZAB requires evidence of the feasibility and public health benefits. This paper aimed to quantify the potential cost-effectiveness of ZAB of staple crops for alleviating ZnD in Ethiopia.MethodsCurrent burden of ZnD among children in Ethiopia was quantified using a disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) framework. Evidence on baseline dietary Zn intake, cereal consumption, and fertilizer response ratio was compiled from existing literature and secondary data sources. Reduction in the burden of ZnD attributable to ZAB of three staple cereals (maize, teff, and wheat) via granular and foliar Zn fertilizer applications was calculated under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. The associated costs for fertilizer, labor, and equipment were estimated in proportion to the cropping area and compared against DALYs saved and the national Gross Domestic Product capita–1.ResultsAn estimated 0.55 million DALYs are lost annually due to ZnD, mainly due to ZnD-related mortality (91%). The ZAB of staple cereals via granular Zn fertilizer could reduce the burden of ZnD by 29 and 38% under pessimistic and optimistic scenarios, respectively; the respective values for ZAB via foliar application were 32 and 40%. The ZAB of staple cereals via granular fertilizer costs US$502 and US$505 to avert each DALY lost under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios, respectively; the respective values for ZAB via foliar application were US$226 and US$ 496. Foliar Zn application in combination with existing pesticide use could reduce costs to US$260–353 for each DALY saved. Overall, ZAB of teff and wheat were found to be more cost-effective in addressing ZnD compared to maize, which is less responsive to Zn fertilizer.ConclusionZAB of staple crops via granular or foliar applications could be a cost-effective strategy to address ZnD, which can be integrated with the existing fertilizer scheme and pesticide use to minimize the associated costs.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1037161/fullbiofortificationDALYszincZn-enriched fertilizersEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Abdu Oumer Abdu Hugo De Groote Edward J. M. Joy Edward J. M. Joy Diriba B. Kumssa Martin R. Broadley Martin R. Broadley Dawd Gashu Zinc agronomic biofortification of staple crops may be a cost-effective strategy to alleviate zinc deficiency in Ethiopia Frontiers in Nutrition biofortification DALYs zinc Zn-enriched fertilizers Ethiopia |
| title | Zinc agronomic biofortification of staple crops may be a cost-effective strategy to alleviate zinc deficiency in Ethiopia |
| title_full | Zinc agronomic biofortification of staple crops may be a cost-effective strategy to alleviate zinc deficiency in Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Zinc agronomic biofortification of staple crops may be a cost-effective strategy to alleviate zinc deficiency in Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Zinc agronomic biofortification of staple crops may be a cost-effective strategy to alleviate zinc deficiency in Ethiopia |
| title_short | Zinc agronomic biofortification of staple crops may be a cost-effective strategy to alleviate zinc deficiency in Ethiopia |
| title_sort | zinc agronomic biofortification of staple crops may be a cost effective strategy to alleviate zinc deficiency in ethiopia |
| topic | biofortification DALYs zinc Zn-enriched fertilizers Ethiopia |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1037161/full |
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