Summary
This paper advances theoretical and methodological frameworks for evaluating how agricultural interventions address micronutrient deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on evidence synthesis and the Africa RISING project, the authors argue that whilst direct interventions (supplements, fortification) have immediate impact, agricultural transformations (diversification, biofortification) offer more systemic, self-sustaining pathways when linked to soil health and dietary patterns. The paper proposes a holistic assessment menu spanning five sustainable intensification domains to guide future research on soil-nutrition-health linkages.
UK applicability
The paper's focus on smallholder farming systems and micronutrient deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa has limited direct applicability to UK agricultural contexts, where micronutrient deficiency prevalence and farm structures differ substantially. However, the methodological framework for assessing agriculture-nutrition linkages across multiple sustainability domains may inform UK food systems research and interdisciplinary approaches to dietary adequacy.
Key measures
Indicators spanning productivity, economic, environmental, human condition and social domains; soil-plant-food-nutrition pathway metrics related to micronutrient deficiency and smallholder farming
Outcomes reported
The paper synthesises theoretical frameworks and research methods for holistically assessing agriculture-based interventions for micronutrient deficiencies, presenting a menu of indicators across five domains of sustainable intensification. It draws on lessons from the Africa RISING project in Malawi and Tanzania to map connections between soil nutrients and human micronutrient deficiencies.
Topic tags
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