Scaling up Small-Scale Food Processing: A Strategy to Promote Food Security Among Women Subsistence Farmers in Rural Vietnam

In rural northern Vietnam, childhood stunting rates are high. In Lào Cai province, female subsistence farmers grow crops, but face barriers sending produce to markets. The present intervention purchases local crops from local women subsistence farmers which are processed in local small-scale food processing facilities to produce instant fortified complementary foods for weaning.

Methods: A repeated measures survey was conducted from October to November 2016, with Caregiver-Child(<2y) pairs (n=800) in the provinces of Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Ha Giang. Anthropometric data of mother/child dyads was assessed and logistic regression analysis of stunted and underweight children explored associated factors. These included: core infant and young child feeding practices indicators, food insecurity, antenatal care check-ups, core water/sanitation, anemia and hygiene indicators.

This project leveraged the experience of the National Institute of Nutrition of Vietnam to ensure HACCP standards during manufacture. Locally grown rice was combined with a Zn/Fe premix before extrusion and hammer-milling. Local vegetables such as: "Sweet leaf" (Sauropus androgynous), pumpkin, Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) and carrots were made into complimentary foods and sold locally.