摘要：

This report details the findings of an analysis of value chains for several nutrient-dense foods in Tanzania. It rapidly assesses the potential of ten commodities to contribute to reducing undernutrition and identifies three with particularly high potential. It then systematically examines issues at the various stages of these value chains, in order to identify barriers that inhibit the extent to which the product is likely to mitigate micronutrient undernutrition. The report recommends options for development agencies, governments, public–private partnerships and other development actors seeking to strengthen the linkage between agricultural activities and nutrition outcomes. It is accompanied by two other reports on Tanzania: a case study of a particular food processing business and an analysis of policy options. Chronic undernutrition is a critical problem in Tanzania, with alarmingly high rates of stunting and micronutrient deficiencies leading to cumulative losses of US$3.7bn over five years according to one estimate. Particular problems include low consumption of iron-rich foods by women, poor infant feeding practices and widespread use of inadequate complementary foods. Food-based approaches, especially those that deliver key micronutrients to the '1,000 days group', appear to have a key role in reducing rates of undernutrition in the country. An expert stakeholders' workshop was convened to rapidly review experiences with ten commodities considered to have potential for nutrition. Of these, three were chosen for more in-depth study: cowpea, orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) and complementary foods. The report provides an overview of these three value chains. Considerable numbers of businesses, especially small enterprises, are involved, particularly at the stages of food processing and retail. The report maps the value chains for these focal products, concentrating on whether they meet five key criteria necessary for foods to be able to mitigate micronutrient undernutrition: availability, affordability, acceptability, nutritional quality, and effective signalling of this quality to purchasers. The report then examines issues at each stage of the value chains for the focal products: production, storage/transport, processing and distribution/retail. It identifies key barriers facing these foods and assesses a set of potential responses to the barriers. The main findings are as follows: Cowpeas are primarily a subsistence crop, although in some areas they are sold and eaten as a protein source or snack food. Cowpeas have the advantage of being a very low-cost source of protein, iron and folates. Further, there is potential to leverage consumers' familiarity with other types of pulses to increase consumption. Yet important barriers remain: demand is low and the crop is still not widespread in commercial markets. It has largely been neglected by public agricultural support programmes. Cowpea is also highly susceptible to post-harvest losses; traders use dangerous chemicals to prevent pest damage, but this creates health risks for consumers. To address these problems, interventions can seek to promote the use of low-cost and safe storage techniques. Social marketing campaigns can also increase awareness of the benefits of eating cowpeas and create greater consumer demand. Support can also be provided to foster business models that deliver new, nutrient- dense cowpea foods to a wide group of consumers. Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is exceptionally rich in vitamin A and can be produced at low cost in many regions of Tanzania. It is well suited for use as a complementary food for young children. However, at present, both producers and consumers prefer white-fleshed varieties of sweet potato – which contain few micronutrients – to the orange varieties. Furthermore, markets for OFSP are poorly developed and availability is low. Several donor-funded initiatives have aimed to increase production of improved varieties of OFSP, but they have not addressed marketing and demand issues. Future interventions should support n

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