Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, an estimated 20 percent of children under the age of five suffer from vitamin A deficiency, while more than 72 percent of children and 69 percent of women of reproductive age (WRA) have iron deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency has been shown to lower immunity, impair vision, and even lead to blindness or premature death. Meanwhile, anemia, which is most often caused by iron deficiency, can impair the mental development and learning capacity of children, increase weakness and fatigue and increase the risk of women dying during childbirth. Amidst this stark reality, Zimbabwe loses over USD 24 million annually in GDP to such deficiencies amongst its population.  

To help address this problem, HarvestPlus has been working over the past five years with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), and the Zimbabwean Government to apply its extensive knowledge and experience in staple crop biofortification. Notably, this includes transferring the technology of biofortification to small-scale farmers. 

At the end of 2020, more than 249,000 smallholder farming families were growing iron beans and 63,000 were growing vitamin A maize.  

According to a rapid nutrition study done by LFSP, 63 percent of farmers in the LFSP target districts now grow vitamin A biofortified maize (VAM), and 61 percent grow iron beans (HIB).  

[Biofortification] is critical in complementing other approaches being implemented in Zimbabwe to prevent and correct micronutrient malnutrition amongst the poor and vulnerable rural communities.” — Dr. Agnes Mahomva Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe

Biofortified Crops in Zimbabwe*

Iron Bean

Year of First Release:
2019

Number of Varieties Released
to Date: 2

Vitamin A Maize

Year of First Release:
2015

Number of Varieties Released
to Date: 5

Vitamin A Orange Sweet Potato

Year of First Release:
2015

Number of Varieties Released
to Date: 2

*Includes varieties shown to meet HarvestPlus standards. Other varieties may be available in the country.

Areas of Expertise

Crop Development

1. Crop Development
2. Seed Multiplication
3. Seed and Grain Distribution
4. Consumer Engagement
5. Market Development
6. Policy Engagement

Crop Development

HarvestPlus supports the Department of Research and Specialist Services to breed, test, and release varieties of vitamin A maize and iron beans developed with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). HarvestPlus is collaborating with DR&SS and the International Potato Centre (CIP) to evaluate and promote production and consumption of vitamin A orange sweet potato in the country.  

Seed Multiplication

Released varieties are licensed to private seed companies to produce seed for sale to farmers. Some varieties can also be licensed directly so seed companies by CIMMYT. 

Seed and Grain Distribution

HarvestPlus connects buyers and processors to farmers. Commercial seed is distributed through agro-dealers, government agricultural input support schemes, and non-governmental organizations. 

Consumer Engagement

HarvestPlus increases awareness of vitamin A maize and iron beans through consumer education, roadshows, advertising, and media outreach.  

Market Development

HarvestPlus supports the commercial processing of biofortified crops into popularly consumed products thus providing an output market and income for farmers from their surplus, and allowing non-farming consumers to benefit from their nutritional value.  

Policy Engagement

Through advocacy conducted with national partners, we strengthen national ownership of biofortification through effective integration into national nutrition and agricultural policies.

Biofortification news in Zimbabwe