Multipurpose trees on farms can improve nutrition in Malawi.

ABSTRACT: In low- and middle-income countries, there is growing evidence that trees in landscapes can support healthy diets. Yet, the bulk of this evidence is based on broad-scale associations and thus fails to tease apart the contributions of different types of trees. Here, we examine how the use of on-farm trees for food, income, and fuel relates to micronutrient adequacy (vitamin A, zinc, iron, and folate) and food sourcing patterns in rural Malawi. We used data from socioeconomic, land use, and dietary surveys conducted with 460 women in both the dry and wet seasons. Our results illustrate that, compared to other uses, the use of on-farm trees for food is the most significant determinant of women's micronutrient adequacy across seasons. While this study does not find consistent dietary benefits

SUBMITTER: Vansant E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11904760 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature