Bio:
Mirriam Makungwe holds a PhD in Integrated Soil Fertility Management from the University of Zambia. She works as Research Officer at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Mirriam has over 12 years of experience in the field of agricultural working with smallholder farmers implementing initiatives aimed at addressing problems in agriculture and food systems. Her career goal is to be a key player in improving food security by doing high quality research focusing on the application of spatial modelling of soil fertility information that will provide solutions that lead to improved livelihood and health of rural communities.
Project summary:
Zinc plays a very important role in human health, Zinc deficiency in humans is one of the most widespread dietary mineral micronutrient deficiency problems in Africa, over 25% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is at risk of Zn deficiency and Zambia is not an exception. The overall hunger situation in Zambia is categorized as serious (20 – 34.9%) with 35% children under age 5 stunted (for which Zn deficiency is a contributory factor), 4% wasted, 12% underweight and 5% overweight. Research in other parts of Africa suggest that the supply of Zn in the diet depends on how crops are managed, and properties of the soil. For this reason, this project will set out to evaluate the supply of Zn in staple crops, and the content of available Zn in the soil, across contrasting soil types in Zambia. Because farm management, including constraints on the farmer's ability to use fertilizers or manures, is also expected to affect crop Zn status, we shall also compare the key farm typologies which have been identified in the country. We shall address the hypotheses that (i) farming systems and soil conditions account for most of the variation observed in Zn concentration within staple grains and that (ii) soil variation will also account for variation in Zn biomarkers in the human population. To test the hypotheses, new data on Zn concentration in staple foods, with some soil analysis, shall be collected across Zambia. This sampling will be structured by existing information on (i) farm typologies in Zambia and (ii) soils of Zambia. Data will also be analysed with existing observations on Zn biomarkers in school-age children. This work will result in key evidence for how interventions to improve dietary Zn supply should be targeted, and aspects of crop management which might be addressed to increase the Zn content of foods.
