Smallholder farmers’ willingness to adopt, cultivate and consume provitamin A biofortified maize in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is one of the significant hidden hunger challenges in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and children are the most vulnerable group. Therefore, there is a need for interventions to reduce this deficiency. Provitamin A biofortified maize (PVABM) has the potential to reduce VAD for the vulnerable groups of SSA. The study investigated the possibility of incorporating provitamin A biofortified maize into smallholder farming systems and assessed the acceptability of typical PVABM meals for household consumption. Using a quantitative approach, a cross-sectional study design was conducted in Bulwer local municipality of Sisonke district and Mhlathuze local municipality of uThungulu district, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. A total of 233 smallholder farmers were interviewed using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The sensory evaluation was done with 72 smallholder farmers assessing the sensory attributes of typical meals such as steamed mealies (ifutho) and crumbled maize meal (uphuthu) produced by PVABM and common maize. Knowledge about PVABM and the average household income highly influenced (p < 0.05) the farmers’ likeliness to accept and incorporate PVABM into their farming systems. About 82% (Bulwer) and 83% (Mhlathuze) of farmers from the areas were willing to incorporate PVABM in their farming systems, and they had positive perceptions about the success of the varieties in their systems. Farmers already growing yellow maize were more willing to integrate PVABM. Sensory evaluation showed that PVABM foods (uphuthu and ifutho) were accepted for consumption and the farmers expressed the willingness to consume PVABM in their diets for nutrient improvement. The response showed that the taste of ifutho was acceptable for both PVABM (52.8%) and white maize (52.8%). The colour of PVABM ifutho was acceptable (50%) and white maize (44.4%), and the aroma was good for PVABM (58.3%) and very good for white maize (44.4%). Overall, both maize sensory attributes were rated as acceptable. The study indicated that farmers could accept PVABM into farming systems and it can be consumed at the household level. Key words: Sensory evaluation, vitamin A deficiency, biofortification, Bulwer, Mhlathuze, malnutrition, micronutrient