Dear Madam/Sir
Please see the comments below:
P.35-38 Section 2.3 Micronutrient malnutrition and its causes and consequences
The emphasis seems to be on ‘food supplementation’ and ‘food fortification’ to reduce micronutrient malnutrition, however this does not address the needs of millions of women who are subsistence farmers, and thus do not normally purchase food. These women and their children require improved access to seed of crops that are high in nutrients, especially those of iron-rich pulses and dark green leafy vegetables, to protect them from micronutrient malnutrition.
Please see the Critical and Emerging Issue: ‘Iron and vitamin C deficiency in female subsistence farmers’ that was sent to your office on 21st October 2016.
Please note that Box 8 (p. 75) contains two case studies on biofortification and “lead mother” training that could be scaled up for the benefit of smallholder farming households. Additional case studies that demonstrate the value of educating women farmers and school children in nutrition, including ICRISAT’s work in climate-smart pulses, could be included.
Yours sincerely
Sam L. J. Page, Ph.D.
Administrator to the UN Committee and the Agriculture Committee
Sam L. J. Page