Limits to biofortification: farmer perspectives on a vitamin A enriched Banana in Uganda

Abstract

Biofortifying staple crops with enhanced nutritional content has been touted as a means of addressing micronutrient deficiency and has emerged as a key component of the Green Revolution for Africa (GR4A). In Uganda, biofortification efforts have centered on utilizing genetic modification (GM) as a means of enhancing the East African Highland Banana, known locally as matooke. This paper draws on three data sets to evaluate whether this technological fix synchs with existing farming systems. We argue that the positive scenario outlined by proponents rests on a number of assumptions related to the health, social and economic contexts facing producers.