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  • Publication | 2026
Guidance note to promote nutrient-enriched crops: A contribution to the reduction of micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable communities
Global Food and Nutrition Security

When paired with climate-smart agriculture practices and improved production technologies, nutrient-enriched crops offer a sustainable pathway to enhance the nutrient content of widely consumed staple foods. The aim of this guidance note is to generate support and catalyze investment for nutrient-enriched crops.Targeted at programme planners and implementers, this guide offers a step-by-step approach to programme development, including design, operationalization, monitoring, and evaluation. It outlines a practical minimum package of actions to support timely and effective implementation and illustrates how to assess return on investment for both pre-market research and delivery programmes to inform government decision-making and investors.The guidance note draws on several country case studies. An expert advisory group provided strategic inputs across the value chain, from crop breeding to consumer engagement. The group guided the selection of case studies, defined data collection priorities, reviewed the economic evaluation methodology, and validated final outputs. By distilling good practices from multiple country experiences and outlining a defined approach, this guidance note contributes to accelerating progress towards sustainable, nutrition-sensitive agriculture priorities. It aims to promote nutrient-enriched staple crops as part of healthy diets and to prevent micronutrient deficiencies.