Developing marketing strategies for high ß-carotene sweetpotatoes: A way of improving vitamin A intake in Siaya District, Kenya.

M. A. Oyunga-Ogubi, S.A Agili, S. J Ochien’g, M. Oudia &, A. Omondi.
Food & Post Harvest, National Potato Research Center, KARI, Tigoni. P.O Box 338, Limuru, Kenya

Assistant Sweetpotato breeder, International Potato Center (CIP), Sub-Saharan Region, Nairobi Community Economist, Ugunja Community Resource Center, Siaya

                          District Home Economist, Ministry of Agriculture, P.O Box 3, Siaya, Kenya Coordinator, Ugunja Community Resource Center, Siaya

To:  John Jagwe Food net office Kampala (foodnet@imul.com)

Dr. P.T Ewell (p.ewell@cgiar.org)
Dr. J.N Kabira Center Director, Kari-Tigoni <nprckari@clubinternetk.com>
Dr.Regina Kapinga, CIP-Uganda

From:   Mary Anyango Oyunga-Ogubi, Kari-Tigoni <nprckari@clubinternetk.com>

Cc:       Aggrey Omondi
Simon Ochien’g
Sammy Agili
Martha Oudia (moudia@jeybi.africaonline.com)
Prisca Okoth
Date:  18^th March 2002.

Subject: 2^nd Project Technical Report.

Forwarded herewith is the report on meeting held in February with collaborators and stakeholders to initiate survey activities for your attention.

Those present
Collaborator’s meeting

1. Ms Martha Oudia-District Home Economist, Siaya

2. Ms Eunice Auma- Agric & Extension, Ugunja Community Resource Center    

3. Aggrey Omondi-Coordinator, Ugunja Community Resource Center     

4. Simon J. Ochieng- Socio Economist, Ugunja Community Resource Center       

5. Charles Oduor-Agric & Extension, Ugunja Community Resource Center         

6. Mrs. Mary Anyango Oyunga-Ogubi-Postharvest/Nutrition, KARI       

7. Mrs Prisca Okoth- Extension officer Siaya     

8. Sammy Agili-Assitant Sweetpotato breeder, International Potato Center

The first two days were spent critiquing the so-called Market Research Survey Questionnaire for the above study in Siaya. 

Three main areas were turkled in this questionnaire:

1) Sellers 2) Consumer/Household & 3) Potential Industrial users

The questionnaires covered areas on: i) Geographic information of study area, ii.) Demographic information, iii.) The product i.e. the sweetpotato, & iv.) Price, Product distribution system, promotion program

Setting the Agenda for the stakeholder meeting was then done.

Collaborators & stakeholder’s meeting

Stakeholders Present;

Tentative Schedule

The meeting began at 9.00 with a welcome address by Aggrey Omondi. A brief introduction of the meeting was given by Mary Ogubi. An overview of sweetpotato production in Siaya was given by the District Crops Officer Mr. William Ndiran’gu assisted by the District Agriculture Officer Mr. Jack E. Chiew. Their main focus was on production trends and major constraints. A representative from Siaya District Hospital MCH Department gave an overview of vitamin A promotion activities in and general nutritional status in Siaya;

A Report from Siaya District Hospital MCH Dept.

1. 100,000 is given to children of ages 6-11 months in capsule form.

2. 200,000 is given to children of ages 12 months to 5 years in capsule form.

3. While giving measles vaccine, malnourished children with worms are given

    vitamin A doses.

4. Given to lactating mothers 2 months after delivery.

5. Given to adult patients suffering from HIV/AIDS, measles, anemia, malaria, and

      diarrhea

6. Nutrition education done at MCH Clinics

7. During Polio vaccinations

An overview of vitamin A status in Kenya & Siaya was given by Mary Ogubi.

Vitamin A deficiency is a serious public health problem in many developing countries, including most of the countries of eastern, central and southern Africa (WHO, 1995). Dietary VA deficiency causes debilitating health problems such as xerophthalmia, corneal lesions, keratomalacia and in many instances, death (Olson, 1989). New research suggests that VA can have important effects on maternal mortality and protects infants from the effects of maternal to child transmission of HIV/AIDS virus (Semba et al, 1995). In Kenya, extremely low serum retinol levels are found in the arid and semi arid northeast, along the coast, and throughout the densely populated western part of Kenya, which includes Siaya (GoK & UNICEF, 1995).

Siaya district faces exceptional food deficiencies mainly due to drought and poor soils (MARD, 2000). It has one of the highest infant mortality rate in Kenya (102:1000 live births compared to national average of 60:1000), (MARD, Work-plan, Siaya, 1998). This is due to various reasons including VA deficiency and high levels of poverty. The rainfall pattern in the lower zones of the district is erratic and often inadequate for cultivation of maize, a popular staple. Sweetpotato is a well-established crop in Siaya both as a food and as a source of cash mainly for women. Acceptance levels among farmers to grow new varieties have always been relatively high. Chipping of the roots for storage is not new and in view of the cassava mosaic virus, cultivation of sweetpotatoes as a food security crop has increased. Consequently high yielding pro-vitamin A rich varieties are likely to be accepted. A survey carried out in Siaya using the Helen Keller International Food Frequency Method (HKI FFM) indicated that VA deficiency is of public health importance. The mean animal score for the entire survey area was 2.29 while the mean weighted plant+animal score was 5.81 well below the cut-off point of 4.0 and 6.0 respectively (Miheso et al, 1999).

During the afternoon session, the meeting was divided into 3 discussion groups. Each group was assigned general topics regarding vitamin A and sweetptoatoes and specific topics for each group.

 General Introduction by Mary

-          What is Vitamin A ?

-          Can you recognize it?

-          What is going on in your community about the deficiency?

1. What are the current interventions being undertaken in the community?

2.What role cans Orange flesh Sweetpotato play in combating VAD in Siaya District?

3. What strategies can be put in place to improve the Vitamin A intake in the community?            

The general issues discussed in each group.

-          What is Vitamin A?

-          Can you recognize it?

-          Is there anything going on in your community that is aimed at combating VAD?  If so what?

Specific topics for each group:

Group One:     What are the current interventions being undertaken in the community to combat VAD?

Group two:      What role can sweetpotato play in combating VAD in Siaya District?

Group three:   What strategies can be put in place to improve the VA intake in the community?

General responces from the groups

(a) What is Vitamin A ?

Vitamin A is a nutrient that is found in food to help the body to retain other food    

nutrients to function

(b) What is vitamin A deficiency? Is when the blood  level of  Vit A drops below 20 MCG’s

      Can you recognize it? Symptoms

            Night blindness

Retarded growth in children

Increase of infections

Dry skin and scaly skin

      Constant sickness especially for children

The eye damage at advance stages

c) What strategies can be put in place to improve the Vitamin A intake in the community?                      

(i)                  Encourage planting of crops that are rich in vitamin A e.g

(a)    Orange fleshed potatoes

(b)    Pawpaw

(c)    Mangoes, Guava, Pineapple and Giant Passion

(d)    Ripe bananas and etc.

(ii)                Growing of different foods (different products)

(iii)               Create awareness of crops that are rich in Vitamin A.

(iv)              Change of attitude forwards food consumption

(v)                To have bulking materials in certain areas

(vi)              By creating the market

(vii)             Importing new technologies to farmers

(viii)           Training ;the processing of Orange fleshed Sweetptoato into other products e.g. chapattis, Ugali etc.

            Micro-credits for processing. In every meal – ensure there is a vitamin A   

            source

 d) What are the current interventions being undertaken in the community?

1. Food based intervention by care
2. Capsule administration by care and MOH
3. Talk on Institution by MOH at internal clinics.
4. Nutrition emphasis (balance diet) by MOH, MOARD, Rangala Farming and child development programe

The Divisions selected for study are Wagai & Ukwala which are considered to be high potential areas, whereas Ugunja & Karemo  are low potential areas but are urban therefore consumption levels may be higher.

Consumer/Households to be interviewed were as follows

 The markets and the respective market days where the survey was conducted are presented below

Quota Sampling Specifications:

·         Each Division 50 consumers were interviewed composed of 60% female and 40% males in the households.

·         1 person per household was interviewed.

·         80 sellers were interviewed in the 8 markets. Each market 10 sellers were interviewed.

·         40 potential industrial users were interviewed in the market centers. 5 from each market.

·         Not less than 60% females and 40 % males sweetpotato sellers and potential industrial users in the markets.

·         A mixture of occupation; farmers, teachers, traders, clergy etc were interviewed in consumer/household category.

·         Each enumerator therefore interviewed approximately 16 respondents (i.e. 10 consumer/households, 4 number of sellers and 2 potential industrial users.

·         Each enumerator conducted an interview in one village, and tow enumerators per market.

·         One enumerator in each division was nominated as a supervisor to the four others.

The questionnaire was pre-tested in an area where the survey was not going to take place. The data from the survey is currently being analysed and may be ready by first week of June.