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Who we are

With research staff from more than 60 countries, and offices across the globe, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

researcher spotlight

Elodie Becquey

Elodie Becquey is a Senior Research Fellow in the Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit, based in IFPRI’s West and Central Africa office in Senegal. She has over 15 years of research experience in diet, nutrition, and food security in Africa, including countries such as Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, and Tanzania.

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What we do

Since 1975, IFPRI’s research has been informing policies and development programs to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods around the world.

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Where we work

IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 80 countries with a wide range of local, national, and international partners.

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country program

HarvestPlus

country programs

Overview

HarvestPlus uses a process called biofortification, which adopts conventional breeding to improve crops. Our innovative approach complements other nutrition interventions, and is evidence-based, cost-effective, and sustainable.

HarvestPlus works with partners to tackle hidden hunger on a global scale by breeding vitamins and minerals into everyday food crops. Together, we build sustainable food systems and bridge the gap between agriculture and nutrition.

Visit HarvestPlus Website for more information.

Publications

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Brief

Internal displacement and the measurement of women’s empowerment: Evidence from a test-retest survey experiment

2025Ambler, Kate; Bloem, Jeffrey R.; Misra, Rewa S.
Details

Internal displacement and the measurement of women’s empowerment: Evidence from a test-retest survey experiment

Women’s empowerment includes the ability to participate in existing market activities, access and control the use of productive resources, obtain opportunities for decent work, control the use of time, and voice and participate in decision making within households and communities (United Nations 2018). Increasing women’s economic empowerment is relevant to several sustainable development goals (i.e., to achieve gender equality, promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all, and reducing existing inequalities). Given all of this, accurately measuring women’s empowerment systematically across a variety of settings is imperative. As such, studying innovations in measuring women’s agency, empowerment, or decision-making power is an active area of research (Malapit et al. 2019; Donald et al. 2020; Laszlo et al. 2020; Buvinic et al. 2020; Quisumbing et al. 2023; Jayachandran et al. 2023).

Year published

2025

Authors

Ambler, Kate; Bloem, Jeffrey R.; Misra, Rewa S.

Citation

Ambler, Kate; Bloem, Jeffrey R.; and Misra, Rewa S. 2025. Internal displacement and the measurement of women’s empowerment: Evidence from a test-retest survey experiment. FCA Brief. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178449

Keywords

Gender; Women’s Empowerment; Surveys; Decision-making; Displacement

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Record type

Brief

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Journal Article

Whole maize flour could enhance food and nutrition security in Malawi

2025Ngoma, Theresa Nakoma; Taleon, Victor; Mvumi, Brighton M.; Gama, Aggrey P.; Palacios-Rojas, Natalia; Matumba, Limbikani
Details

Whole maize flour could enhance food and nutrition security in Malawi

Maize is the staple cereal in Malawi, with a daily per capita consumption of 383 g (dry matter basis), primarily consumed in the form of nsima, a thick porridge. We combined a milling experiment with focus group discussions (FGDs) to provide insights into mass and nutrient losses during maize grain dehulling and maize flour consumption patterns in rural Malawi. Milling batches (30 kg) of four maize grain varieties were dehulled at three abrasive disk dehullers under controlled conditions. The impact of maize variety and dehuller design on mass and nutrient losses during dehulling was statistically significant (p < 0.05), with a mean mass loss of 28.1 ± 5.7%, and nutrient losses of 9.8 ± 1.9% for protein, 61.7 ± 2.0% for zinc, and 47.7 ± 3.6% for iron. Six FGDs conducted in rural areas of Lilongwe District revealed a preference for refined flour due to convenience and cultural norms, despite the nutritional benefits of whole grain flour, which was recognized for its ability to provide satiety, particularly during periods of maize scarcity. Participants also highlighted switching between flour types based on seasonal maize availability, social stigma associated with whole grain flour, and awareness of nutrient losses during dehulling. Given Malawi’s precarious food insecurity situation, transitioning from dehulled maize flour nsima to whole maize flour or less refined nsima, is imperative. Our study findings can have food and nutritional savings for other southern Africa countries where the dehulling is a common practice.

Year published

2025

Authors

Ngoma, Theresa Nakoma; Taleon, Victor; Mvumi, Brighton M.; Gama, Aggrey P.; Palacios-Rojas, Natalia; Matumba, Limbikani

Citation

Ngoma, Theresa Nakoma; Taleon, Victor; Mvumi, Brighton M.; Gama, Aggrey P.; Palacios-Rojas, Natalia; and Matumba, Limbikani. 2025. Whole maize flour could enhance food and nutrition security in Malawi. Discover Food 5(1): 40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00311-y

Country/Region

Malawi

Keywords

Africa; Eastern Africa; Southern Africa; Maize; Maize Flour; Nutrition; Food Security; Milling; Food Losses

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00311-y Source record

Record type

Journal Article

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

Multivariate stability analysis to select elite rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for grain yield, zinc and iron

2025Singh, Akansha; Singh, Dhirendra Kumar; Singh, Shravan Kumar; Singh, Vikas Kumar; Kumar, Arvind
Details

Multivariate stability analysis to select elite rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for grain yield, zinc and iron

The present study was conducted to evaluate 30 rice genotypes at three different locations in eastern Uttar Pradesh during the Wet- 2020–21 and determine the impact of GEI on grain yield (tha-1), days to 50% flowering, grain Fe content (PPM), and grain Zn content (PPM). The study also aimed to identify the genotypes that displayed the best performance according to the multi-trait stability index (MTSI), multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI), and factor analysis and ideotype-design (FAI-BLUP) index. AMMI analysis demonstrated significant variation for environment (E), genotype (G), and genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) (P < 0.01) for all the studied traits. The AMMI1 biplot showed that PC1 explained the majority of the variation for GY (77.6%), DTF (90.5%), Fe (73.5%), and Zn (86.8%), helping to identify stable and high-performing genotypes. AMMI2 biplot further resolved complex GEI patterns, highlighting genotypes with specific adaptability to individual environments. The GGE biplot revealed clear “which-won-where” patterns for GY, DTF, Fe, and Zn, explaining 94.37%, 99.71%, 83.49%, and 96.93% of GEI variation, respectively. BLUP analysis using a linear mixed model revealed significant GEI effects for GY, DTF, Fe, and Zn across 30 rice genotypes in three environments. Low heritability was observed for Fe (28.2%) and moderate for GY (54.4%) and Zn (56.4%), while DTF showed high heritability with strong genotypic accuracy. Genotype G7 was identified as stable, early, high-yielding, and rich in Fe based on HMGV, RPGV, and HMRPGV indices. The MTSI, MGIDI and FAI-BLUP analysis revealed that BHU-SKS-1 (G15) and IR105696 -1–2-3–1-1–1 -B (G9) were the most stable and best mean performer for high grain yield and high grain Fe & Zn content, while IR 108,195–3-1–1-2 (G7) was the most stable and best mean performer for high grain yield and high grain Fe content with early flowering.

Year published

2025

Authors

Singh, Akansha; Singh, Dhirendra Kumar; Singh, Shravan Kumar; Singh, Vikas Kumar; Kumar, Arvind

Citation

Singh, Akansha; Singh, Dhirendra Kumar; Singh, Shravan Kumar; Singh, Vikas Kumar; and Kumar, Arvind. 2025. Multivariate stability analysis to select elite rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for grain yield, zinc and iron. Scientific Reports 15(1): 39586. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11748-7

Keywords

Rice; Crop Yield; Zinc; Iron; Trace Elements

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11748-7 Source record

Record type

Journal Article

Blogs

Global Food Policy Report 2024: Leveraging plant-source foods for sustainable healthy diets
IFPRI Blog
 | 
November 04, 2024

Global Food Policy Report 2024: Leveraging plant-source foods for sustainable healthy diets

By Erick Boy, Inge Brouwer, Jen Foley, Natalia Palacios, Samuel Scott, and Victor Taleon

Integrating more fruits, vegetables, and other high-quality crops into food systems.

Potential impact of zinc-enriched rice on zinc intakes in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines
IFPRI Blog
 | 
September 20, 2024

Potential impact of zinc-enriched rice on zinc intakes in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines

By Fabiana F. De Moura, Mourad Moursi, Moira Donahue Angel, Erick Boy, and Jen Foley

Nutritional benefits of enhanced biofortification.

Addressing the global, life-long health impacts of zinc deficiency: A call to action
IFPRI Blog
 | 
April 25, 2024

Addressing the global, life-long health impacts of zinc deficiency: A call to action

By Nicola M. Lowe, Andrew G. Hall, Martin R. Broadley, Jen Foley, Erick Boy, and Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

What an array of studies shows about a key nutritional challenge

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News

November 18, 2021 | In the News

Climate change is making food less healthy – and putting millions of people at risk of nutrient deficiencies (Better Nutrition)

Climate change is making food less healthy – and putting millions of people at risk of nutrient deficiencies (Better Nutrition)  November 1y  Better Nutrition published an article stating that excess CO2 reduces the production of protein and other nutrients in crops like corn, wheat, soybeans, and rice. As CO2 levels rise, scientists and economists are […]

April 13, 2015 | Press Release

Two billion people suffering from hidden hunger according to 2014 Global Hunger Index, even as levels of hunger in many developing countries decrease

Report says food quality is equally important as quantity October 13, 2014, Washington D.C.—A staggering 2 billion people get so little essential vitamins and minerals from the foods they eat that they remain undernourished, according to the 2014 Global Hunger Index (GHI) being released today by the International Food Policy Research Institute, Welthungerhilfe, and Concern […]

Events

African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF)
IFPRI at External Event

 | 

September 8 to 11, 2020

African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF)

IFPRI is participating in the African Green Revolution Forum 2020 (AGRF). Considered the world’s most important and impactful forum for African agriculture, AGRF brings together stakeholders in the agricultural landscape to take practical actions and share lessons that will move African agriculture forward as sustained agricultural transformation will remain at the centre of driving Africa’s […]

The changing challenges of hidden hunger: Micronutrients within the nutrition and development landscapes
IFPRI Policy Seminar

 | 

February 3, 2020, 12:15 – 1:45 pm

The changing challenges of hidden hunger: Micronutrients within the nutrition and development landscapes

Current global challenges in malnutrition and other development goals call for integrated, multi-sectoral approaches focusing on the entire food system, leading to healthier and sustainable diets for all. Among these challenges is micronutrient deficiency, known as “hidden hunger.” Micronutrients—vitamins and minerals needed in only very small quantities but with huge impacts on human health and […]

SUN Global Gathering 2019
IFPRI at External Event

 | 

November 4 to 7, 2019

SUN Global Gathering 2019

IFPRI is participating in the SUN Global Gathering, which brings together all SUN Government Focal Points and representatives of their partners from civil society, donor, United Nations agencies, private sector partners, academia, media, parliamentarians and others. It is the flagship event of the SUN Movement and an important moment where members take stock of progress […]

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Team members

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Erick Boy

Erick Boy

Chief Nutritionist, HarvestPlus, Innovation
Policy and Scaling

The Programs

  • Kutubdia Island in the Bay of Bengal

    Bangladesh Policy Research and Strategy Support Program

    Improving food and nutrition security is of paramount concern to millions in Bangladesh.

  • Wuxi, the fast growing city that was formerly known as White Horse Village.

    China Strategy Support Program

    Supports joint research & capacity strengthening as well as policy dialogues & communication to improve policymaking.

  • Farm land in Giza in Egypt

    Egypt Strategy Support Program

    Egypt SSP's main objective is to raise incomes of the rural poor and to improve food and nutrition security in Egypt.

  • Gayo village, Ethiopia

    Ethiopia Strategy Support Program

    ESSP is a collaborative program undertaken by IFPRI and the Ethiopian Development Research Institute (EDRI)

  • amevi-wisdom-wiul_nyafcy-unsplash

    Ghana Strategy Support Program

    Conduct research & advise on policy to support agricultural growth, rural development & economic transformation.

  • Local vendors selling vegetables at a market in Kenya,Africa

    Kenya Strategy Support Program

    KSSP is a policy research, capacity strengthening and policy communication program with the main objectives to accelerate poverty reduction and to improve food security.

  • Mitundu Market, Lilongwe, Malawi

    Malawi Strategy Support Program

    This project facilitates and promotes evidence-based dialogue and decision-making in support of agricultural development, food security, and economic growth in Malawi.

  • Country program Myanmar

    Myanmar Strategy Support Program

    The project supports agricultural transformation and other development policy goals by enhancing national technical, institutional, and policy analysis capacities.

  • Nigeria Strategy Support Program

    NSSP responds to the research, analysis, and capacity needs of stakeholders in the Nigerian agricultural research and policy community.

  • Papua New Guinea Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Policy Support Program

    The Papua New Guinea Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Policy Support Program (PNG-AFNP) is an initiative aligned with the Government of Papua New Guinea’s vision to revitalize and transform its agricultural sector to improve economic opportunities, livelihoods, and food security.

  • Fertile field at sunset in the countryside (Rwanda/ Africa)

    Rwanda Strategy Support Program

    Rwanda SSP is an initiative aligned with the Government of Rwanda’s vision to accelerate agricultural transformation and rural development in Rwanda.

  • A sunset view of river Nile in Khartoum, Sudan

    Sudan Strategy Support Program

    The Sudan Country Strategy Support Program (CSSP), with key team members based in Khartoum, can provide needed analytical support to the Government of Sudan, local and international partners.