Agriculture and nutrition in developing countries

Nutritional problems are one of the high-priority global issues that need to be tackled, both in terms of importance and international attention. Malnutrition, a condition observed in all countries in several forms, includes not only hunger but also obesity and micronutrient deficiencies. Among the various nutrition-related sectors, agriculture is a key sector that can contribute to improved nutrition through food production. Although agriculture and nutrition are linked through food, the pathway is not straightforward. We need to aim for an improvement in the quantity and quality of nutrition through various efforts, including an increase in productivity, diversification of cultivated crops, advancements in preservation and processing technologies as well as further spread of nutritional knowledge. In this paper, I refer to a study that analyzed nutrient excess or deficiency and nutrient sources in Madagascar. Poverty and malnutrition are serious issues in Madagascar, and the locals rely on a high proportion of rice in their diet. On calculating the nutritional supply from the Food and Agriculture Organization's food balance sheet and comparing it to nutritional demand, the supply of many nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin A, is estimated to be insufficient in this population. When we examined the sources of nutrients, we found that the majority were plant-based food items such as rice while the proportion of animal-source food items was small. This implies a low amino acid score and a low absorption rate of micronutrients within this population. To complement the insufficiency, it would be beneficial to promote cultivation of vegetables and beans, small-scale aquaculture, and breeding of livestock. Additionally, effective use of the currently available food sources can be encouraged by disseminating nutritionally appropriate recipes.