Smart Food Highlights from ICRISAT Annual Report 2019
Smart Food setup to be led by Africa and Asia with the formation of Smart Food Executive Council following signing of MoU by:
Trademark of the Smart Food logo and tagline approved and formally registered in India.
Smart Food strengthened with three new ambassadors:
Who will join the other ambassadors based in London, Paris and Senegal:
Testing market acceptance and nutritional value of millets and pigeonpea:
- India: A pilot study with 1,500 school children (and 1,500 control group) showed significant increase in growth parameters (BMI and HAZ)* in comparison to control group for children fed milletbased meals compared to micronutrients fortified, rice-based meals. All millet-based meals were rated 4.5 or higher out of 5 for taste. This was launched by senior representatives of Government of India’s NITI Aayog. Published in Nutrients journal and policies recommended.
- Myanmar: A small pilot study showed that millets and pigeonpea meals had a positive impact on the extent of wasting and underweight children between 2-14 months; and sensory evaluations in the community showed on average 4 out of 5 for all recipes and products. Published in Journal of Food and Agriculture
Communications at a glance:
2019 in Media
Radio show in France with 3 african smart food ambassador chefs
Dr Yemi Akinbamjo’s feature article in The Globe Post: Superfoods can’t save our broken system – But Smart Food can.
Communications for Change
Inaugural Niger national millet fair by the Government of Niger.
Food display at the fair. At the African Green Revolution forum
Smart Food Culinary Challenge organized with 58 student chefs from 16 culinary institutes across India.
