The Integrated Research Approach of the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC) to Enhance Micronutrient Availability

Abstract

This paper describes various activities of the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC) in enhancing micronutrient availability through increased vegetable supply, improved micronutrient density in vegetables, enhanced micronutrient bioavailability, and recommendations for programmes and policies generated through economic research. Technological, nutritional, and socio-economic research are integrated at AVRDC. Nutrient considerations are incorporated at all levels of research planning, technology development, and dissemination of these technologies to clients. The approach ensures not only greater diversity and improved palatability of food, but also enhanced income and employment to poor farming and landless households and improved gender equity. All these factors are catalysts to improved health as well as faster economic growth for developing economies. To tackle widespread micronutrient deficiencies, future nutritional research should focus on making improved vegetable technologies economically viable under a wider range of economic and ecological environments, while enhancing or, at minimum, maintaining the nutrient density and bioavailability of new vegetable releases. To improve the efficiency of nutritional research, the dollar value of micronutrient enhancement research needs to be quantified and compared for different vegetables and other food items. A methodology for doing this is proposed and illustrated.