Successful reintroduction of landrace orange maize in rural Malawi is not related to the nutritional knowledge of women in farming families

Vitamin A deficiency is a global health challenge, particularly in the developing world. Diet based approaches, using locally available foods, are recommended for providing long term, sustainable solutions. The ProFarmer project, initiated Malawi, encouraged local farmers to re-adopt landrace crop varieties. Orange maize was used as case study. Over time, reintroducing this carotenoid-rich predicted increase provitamin content Malawian diet. Furthermore, it considered relatively simple, cost-effective approach that has potential reduce dependence on food fortification. This study aimed at evaluating impact of reintroduction orange nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (KAB) women farming families currently cultivate crop. Women were selected, they largely responsible preparation healthy foods their families. Additionally, overall diet adequacy living rural Malawi assessed. total 336 females took part cross-sectional Before study, participating underwent training program run by Agriculture Extension workers prior receiving seeds cultivation. included an explanation rationale behind education regarding aspects through grown foods. Families had recently joined project already harvested previous years sample. semi-structured questionnaire determine KAB maize. quality also assessed FAO Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD-W) designed women. Independent t-tests Chi-square tests performed where appropriate. Positive towards growing consuming recorded. However, only 32% understood nutritional benefits. scores, proxy nutrient adequacy, low with 34% sufficiently diverse Despite levels well accepted presents affordable, option increasing dietary sources A. Nutrition emphasizing advantages eating expanding diversity Malawi. Key words: maize, A, carotenoids, diversity, women, sustainability