African Crop Science Conference Proceedings, Vol. 9. pp. 317 - 324 Printed in Uganda. All rights reserved ISSN 1023-070X/2009 $ 4.00 © 2009, African Crop Science Society Potential of bananas in alleviating micronutrient eficiencies in the great lakes region of East Africa R. FUNGO Department of Food Science and Technology, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Abstract More than 50% of women and 60% of children in east Africa suffer from Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA). Children and women in rural areas and from lower income quantiles suffer more from Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) and IDA than others. This review, justifies the need to have the banana (Musa Spp.) crop included among the vehicle foods for micronutrient interventions in east Africa to combat micronutrient deficiencies. Also opportunities that can be exploited are highlighted. This study reviewed Demographic Health Survey Reports, for prevalence for iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin A deficiency in East African countries and population census report in the region. Also I reanalysed available banana production and consumption data from FAO, IFPRI. Results revealed that bananas are one of the most important food security food crops in the region. Twenty million tonnes of bananas are produced in the region, and it has the highest per capita consumption in the world, peaking in Uganda at 304 kg/person/ year. IDA affects more than 60% of East African population and it is highest in Burundi at 82% among children aged below five years. VAD among children is highest in Kenya (70%) and least in Tanzania (37%), and the deficiency affects more than one third of the children in the region. Also studies reveal that Orange pulped bananas with an average carotenoid content of 1540 μg/100 g and iron content (6.07 mg/100 g) could reduce more than 50% of the VAD and IDA in the region. Bananas not only is it an important food security crop, but also cultivars with high levels of Vitamin A should be promoted to combat VAD and IDA among women and children. Key words: Banana cultivars, iron deficiency, vitamin A deficiency Introduction Importance of bananas. Bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) are important staple food crops for millions of people in the tropical and sub tropical regions of East Africa, providing 25% of the carbohydrate requirement and 10% of the daily calorie intake. Annual production of bananas and plantains in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and parts of Eastern DR Congo, Western and Central Kenya and Northern Tanzania, is estimated at about 20 million tonnes. Uganda has the highest production rates, followed by Rwanda, DR Congo, Burundi, Tanzania and Kenya (Table 1). Using FAO national production data for plantain and cooking banana cultivars (Lescot, 2006), and subtracting an estimated 55% for rachis and peel, the amount available for consumption may be calculated (Table 1). The data in Table 1 reveals that Uganda has the highest per capita consumption, followed by Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, DR Congo and Tanzania. Over 90% of the bananas produced in the region are consumed locally in many different forms with each country having its own traditional dish and method of processing (Frison & Sharrock, 1998). These uses range from cultural practices such as celebrating births and marriages, mourning the dead to medicinal uses. As a food staple, bananas are processed into products that are packed and sold in the supermarkets. The perennial nature of the crop, compared to other staples, renders it least affected by drought or social instability allowing households to access food all-year round. Production figures are available at the sub-national level in Uganda (Table 2) (UBOS, 2001) and for Kagera in Tanzania (MAC, 2001), but not for Eastern DR Congo, Western Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda. Consumption data for banana and plantain are generally not available, Table 1. Country, produce available population size and per capita produce available of bananas and plantains. Country 2004 FAO production 2004 Musa Staple food 2002-2004 Per capita Musa staple food produce available (1000 tonnes) available a (1000 tonnes) Population size b (kg/pers/yr) (g/pers/day) Uganda 10512.5 4454.8 24,400,000 c 182.6 500.2 Rwanda 2469.7 1061.2 8,400,000 126.3 346.1 Burundi 1599.9 562.5 6,800,000 82.7 226.6 Kenya 1019.8 373.5 32,000,000 11.7 32.0 DR. Congo 1512.8 536.8 52,800,000 10.2 27.9 Tanzania 751.1 270.0 37,000,000 7.3 20.0 a Produce available for consumption calculated from the total banana and plantain production provided by FAO minus 55% losses in peel and rachis. b, Source: FAOSTAT. c, Uganda Population census, (2002)