Yellow Maize Breeding For Higher Beta-Carotene: Farmers’ Perceptions Of Vitamin-A Deficiency Consequences And Readiness To Grow Improved Varieties In Ghana
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Afr. J. Food Agric. Nutr. Dev
Abstract
Vitamin A deficiency poses serious health concerns among the Ghanaian
populace, particularly children and pregnant women. The production and
consumption of yellow maize, which contains pro-vitamin A carotenoids such as
beta carotene, is therefore encouraged. Consequently, yellow maize consumption
is fast gaining acceptance. However, in the near future comensurate increases in
production must be achieved to ensure food security. In this regard, the aims of the
study were to: evaluate farmer willingness to cultivate yellow maize varieties with
enhanced beta carotene content, ascertain extent of farmers’ knowledge on
production constraints and mitigation, and evaluate farmers’ perception on
nutritional benefits of yellow maize and the effects of vitamin A deficiency. The
survey was conducted between January and May 2018 and it covered four districts
representing the forest and guinea savanna ecological zones in Ghana. In each
district, five communities with 10 participants each were covered. Most yellow
maize farmers (78 %) were between 15 and 55 years, 42.5 % of the farmers had
no formal education, 29 % had secondary education and only 8 % had tertiary
education. The main challenges facing yellow maize (YM) farmers were pest
control and low yield due to erratic rainfall. Majority (70 %) of the farmers had
heard about vitamin A deficiency and also noticed stunted growth, mental
retardation and poor eye sight in their communities but did not link such symptoms
to vitamin A deficiency. Most respondents (70 %) were not aware that yellow maize
contains beta carotene. Majority (70 %) of the respondents opined that
improvement in the beta carotene content of yellow maize will greatly help to
drastically minimize vitamin A deficiency and enhance food security. The
information elicited from farmers will guide future development of yellow maize
varieties for improved production and nutrition.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
maize, vitamin-A, deficiency, beta-carotene, food security, improved variety