Maize has become the staple food for more than 1 billion people in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Maize is high in carbohydrates but lacks essential micronutrients such as vitamin A.

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient lacking in the diets of poor malnourished population. Vitamin A deficiency retards growth, increases risk of disease, and can cause reproductive disorders.

Maize exhibits tremendous genetic diversity, and there is naturally occurring germplasm with high levels of provitamin A. Using these varieties to breed high-provitamin A will greatly improve vitamin A status of millions of poor consumers, especially in Africa.

• Provitamin A Maize for Zambia