Summary
This large-scale study demonstrates that the micronutrient composition of staple cereals varies significantly across subnational geographies in Ethiopia and Malawi, driven by soil and environmental factors. For rural households consuming locally sourced food, residence location can be the largest single determinant of micronutrient dietary intake from cereals. The findings suggest that MND interventions such as fortification and biofortification should account for geographical variation, which may exceed intervention effects.
UK applicability
Direct applicability to UK farming and policy is limited, as the study focuses on smallholder cereal systems and micronutrient deficiencies prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the methodological approach to mapping subnational geospatial variation in crop micronutrient composition may inform UK soil-crop-nutrition surveillance or precision agriculture strategies.
Key measures
Grain micronutrient concentrations (calcium, iron, selenium, zinc); soil pH, soil organic matter, temperature, rainfall, topography; biomarkers of selenium dietary status
Outcomes reported
The study mapped micronutrient composition (calcium, iron, selenium and zinc) of staple cereal grains across most cereal production areas in Ethiopia and Malawi, revealing nutritionally important geospatial variation at subnational scales. Soil and environmental covariates (pH, organic matter, temperature, rainfall, topography) were associated with grain micronutrient concentrations, and positive relationships between grain selenium and biomarkers of selenium status were documented.
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