Dear all,
Q2. Are you conducting any research on the impact of agriculture and environment on food and nutrition security?
Yes – we are interested in reducing zinc deficiency in Pakistan. Currently, deficiency is widespread with over 40% of women deficient. Most households in Pakistan consume wheat flour on a daily basis. Biofortification through crop breeding and application of zinc fertilizers can increase the concentration of zinc in wheat grain and offers a strategy to help alleviate zinc deficiency.
We are conducting research near Peshawar among a marginalised population to test the effectiveness of biofortified wheat flour for improving nutritional zinc status: http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/projects?ref=BB%2FP02338X%2F1
The flour has been milled from a strain of wheat grain, recently released in Pakistan by HarvestPlus
The protocol is registered with the ISRCTN (International Standard Registered Clinical/soCial sTudy Number) here: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN83678069
In Pakistan, the research is coordinated and conducted by the Khyber Medical University, The Abaseen Foundation and Fauji Fertilizer Company. Please follow our project #BiZiFED on Twitter and get in touch if you have any questions.
Thanks,
The BiZiFED Team
Prof. Nicola Lowe