Objectives
Despite the increasing adoption of large-scale fortification programs as a means of addressing MND throughout the developing world, an estimated one billion people living in rural/remote areas do not have access to centrally processed foods, and thus are denied the benefits of large-scale fortification programming. Sankuâs mission is to provide an effective and low-cost solution to combat MND in these populations through scalable/sustainable small-scale fortification initiatives.
Methods
After studying/quantifying the challenges faced by small-scale fortification over the past 10 years through peer-reviewed/gray literature, partnerâs feedback, and authorsâ experiences, we sought to systematically address each challenge including: manual operations, dosing accuracy, limited distribution channels, miller burden, cost, scalability, and monitoring. For seven years, Sanku has been entrenched on the front lines of rural fortification, working with village millers, NGOs and governments to design a package of fortification technology and business approaches that can be realistically adopted/sustained by millers.
Results
Sanku has been fortifying food in rural Tanzania for three years, currently reaching ~250,000 people. During that time, a number of key challenges specific to scaling a program have been addressed: Logistics/economics of premix distribution/sales/sustainably, effective staffing structure and quality control monitoring model. Emphasis is placed on nutrition messages in rural communities and at local health clinics to improve social marketing.
Conclusions
The challenges historically faced by small-scale fortification can be overcome when approached with a keen understanding of miller and customer obstacles. The Tanzania program is effectively addressing these challenges setting the course to reach 100 million people within the next decade.
