PROJECTS

Niger: Empowering women to sustainably improve nutrition

WHY NIGER?

In Niger, half of children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition, while a staggering 90% do not eat a diet that is sufficiently diverse to meet minimum nutrient needs.
It is estimated that 43% of child deaths in Niger are linked to malnutrition, and the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 will place even more children at risk as parents have less money to afford nutritious foods.

HOW WE ARE DOING IT

With women at the center of the approach, the project supports local businesses to provide small-holder women farmers with access to biofortified seeds.
IT MAY SEEM COMPLICATED, BUT THE CONCEPT IS SIMPLE:
Biofortified seeds are more nutrient-dense than regular ones. Essential micronutrients, such as zinc and iron, are bred into the biofortified seeds and produce iron-biofortified or zinc-biofortified beans, vegetables, millet and other crops. Zinc and iron are key elements for proper cognitive development, physical growth and a strong immune system.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT:

View Factsheet

Read article

PROJECT PROGRESS

LOCATION: ZINDER REGION, NIGER

PROJECT PARTNERS:

“This project will reach thousands of people with grains and vegetables that are biofortified, a cost-effective method to provide last mile farmers with essential nutrients missing from their diets without changing their eating habits. Women will be at the center of the action, as they are the ones growing food, cooking the meals, and feeding their families and communities.”
Assia Sidibe, Programme Manager of UNITLIFE
HIGHLIGHT 1
The project sustainably improves the nutrition of over 283,000 people, half of whom are women and girls. It is essential for future mothers to have access to good nutrition during their pregnancy in order to ensure their child's healthy growth and development.
HIGHLIGHT 2
Chronic malnutrition slows down the development of nations by increasing illness and mortality, thereby decreasing the productivity and income of affected people. In Niger, over half of children suffer from the disease. At the same time, 7% of Niger GDP is lost due to malnutrition every year.

---
LOCAL & INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

Empowering women to sustainably improve nutrition shouldn't end when a UNITLIFE project is completed. Therefore, we are partnering with local businesses so they can continuously deliver nutritions solutions to those in need.