A whole system approach to demonstrate micronutrient gain in local crop products and food, and develop a shared vision of an agroecologically-biofortified food system.

Micronutrients follow a path from the soil through the crop product and food into the human body.  “Several critical factors determine the success of agronomic biofortification to alleviate MN deficiencies among humans. These factors depend on nutrient bioavailability at different stages: the presence and bioavailability of soil nutrients for plant uptake (soil to crop), nutrient assimilation and allocation within the plant and re-translocation into the harvested food (crop to food), bioavailability of nutrients in prepared food for humans and the physiological state of the human body which determines the ability to absorb and utilize the nutrients (food to human)."

OR4FOOD hypothesize that it is possible to obtain a gain in mironutrient in the consumed part of plants (i.e. improve micronutrient status), by applying agroecological practices on African crops, as choosing naturally-rich in micronutrients  species/varieties of local crops and fertilising them applying organic residual products.