
In collaboration with scientists at the University of Manitoba, lead by Dr. Trust Beta, and with Chancellor College, we have published a new paper in the scientific journal Food Chemistry that shows evidence of the high value of local, open-pollinated orange maize as a source of vitamin A. Known locally as mtinkinya, the local orange maize used to be eaten as a porridge, but had declined in use. We collected 26 samples of white maize and 35 samples of local orange maize samples from farmers in central Malawi in 2014. The average amount of beta-carotene, for example, was 40 times higher in local orange maize than white maize samples. Based on the analysis, 100 grams of local orange maize samples were estimated to provide between 8 – 17% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A for an adult man. These results provide important support for our approach, which supports diverse cropping systems, agrobiodiversity and local indigenous knowledge. Details on the paper will be listed under our research results.
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Last Updated: November 7, 2015 by Rachel Bezner-Kerr
New Paper on Local Orange Maize as Vit A Source
In collaboration with scientists at the University of Manitoba, lead by Dr. Trust Beta, and with Chancellor College, we have published a new paper in the scientific journal Food Chemistry that shows evidence of the high value of local, open-pollinated orange maize as a source of vitamin A. Known locally as mtinkinya, the local orange maize used to be eaten as a porridge, but had declined in use. We collected 26 samples of white maize and 35 samples of local orange maize samples from farmers in central Malawi in 2014. The average amount of beta-carotene, for example, was 40 times higher in local orange maize than white maize samples. Based on the analysis, 100 grams of local orange maize samples were estimated to provide between 8 – 17% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A for an adult man. These results provide important support for our approach, which supports diverse cropping systems, agrobiodiversity and local indigenous knowledge. Details on the paper will be listed under our research results.
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Progress at the Farmer Research and Training Center
February 21, 2018
By Nola Booth
We are pleased to announce some exciting new developments at the SFHC Farmer Research and Training Center! A new pig and poultry enclosure, pictured above, was made possible through funding received from Friends of SFHC. We extend our… Read More
Our “Farming for Change” Curriculum is Now Available
February 7, 2018
By Nola Booth
We are pleased to announce that our participatory, integrated curriculum is now available for download for non-profit use! “Farming for Change: A Participatory Teaching Guide on Agroecology, Climate Change, Nutrition and Social Equity” is a training manual written by… Read More
Building the SFHC Farmer Research and Training Center
January 16, 2018
By Nola Booth
As we’ve announced on our projects page, SFHC is currently taking an important step to expand its work in Malawi–and connect with students, researchers, and collaborators around the world. The SFHC Farmer Research and Training Center, when complete,… Read More