Глобальный форум по продовольственной безопасности и питанию (Форум FSN)

Hi everyone,

Happy to share some of my experiences around the topic. The first one is about the most popular integrated farming model i.e. Coconut based agroforestry in coastal Odisha...here, farmers use to cultivate paddy straw  (in kharif)and dhingri (winter season mushroom) mushroom between two rows of coconut plants. This is the most common and popular farming system in coastal Odisha especially in Puri district. This can be an adaptation and mitigation tool in context of climate change.

http://www.crri.nic.in/crri_sucstory.htm

Besides, farmers in Dhenkanal area have shown interest in popularizing the off season mushroom cultivation under Bamboo based poly houses which seems to be farmer's friendly and economically feasible (normal size costs around 15000-20,000).

Above all the practice of raising Babul (Acacia nilotica) trees along the farm boundary with paddy as the intercrop has enabled the farmers in increasing the production and productivity as well as ensuring nutritional security of livestock which has a lot to do with nutritional security of human beings as well.

You all may well aware of kitchen garden and nutritional garden concept. In Odisha it is most common and you will find it in almost all villages or rural households. The plot is called as "Bari" in local language and mostly comprises of 3-4 tiers (Silvicultural trees, Horticultural/Fruit Trees/, Shrubs, Seasonal vegetables or greens). This has tremendous potential to fill up the vacuum of food and nutritional security of human beings and livestock at the household level.

I am happy to share the success story of reviving and propagating local cow pea varieties cultivated by the Tribal groups in Kerala with their participation for their nutritional security. The efforts were supported by ITPGRFA, FAO through its benefit sharing fund,

We have documented four different varieties of cowpea ( Vigna sp -local name Njanda, Peenius , Karimpayaru, Thatathi  ) cultivated by ‘Uraly’ Tribal group in Kerala, These cow pea varieties were major item in their traditional food habits , but these varieties have vanished from their area due to several season and we found only a few old women were cultivating these varieties . Though the tribal groups , especially women  were nostalgic about the recipes based on these crops and their leaves , enough material is not available.

With the support of ITPGRFA , we have supported these identified women to propagate and raise more seeds and we purchased these seeds from them and supplied to other women members and also constituted a revolving fund for cultivating these varieties for giving loans for cultivating these local variety . The response was very interesting and more and more women started showing interest in the cultivation and at present more than 40 women are actively cultivating these varieties and also they started preparing local recipes based on these varieties.

The importance of providing incentives for persuading the women to revive local varieties is one of the key lessons in our intervention

regards

James    

Dear Professor Swaminathan, Dear Dr. Dangour,

As a doctor I have no personal stories to relate but as dealing with Undernutrition in under 5s, we are really worried about the low content of essential amino acids in common grains. Therefore I should answer your two first questions as ‘not aware’.

In respect to the third one I must say that one of the problems using maize or sorghum (Africa) grains is the lack of Lysine in them. As there is a gene (cordapA) that increases the production of Lys and also of other amino acids already tested in maize and available from ISAAA.org, I bring to your consideration the possibility to start a pilot progam using these genetically modified grains.

Should you require further information please contact me again.

Yours sincerely

Manuel Moya

Catedrático E/ E Professor & Head

Chair of the Technical Advisory Group on Nutrition of International Pediatric Association (IPA)

Editor in Chief of IPA Newsletter

Board of Directors of IPA Foundation

Vice-President of European Pediatric Association

Academician of the Real Academia de Medicna

Pediatric Dept. University Miguel Hernández

Ctra Valencia s/n. 03550 S Juan. Alicante. Spain

Fighting malnutrition requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach as expressed in a previous blog post. 2 general comments below.

Targeting where impact could be greatest: Malnutrition is higher in rural areas, especially in the drylands where poverty and climate vulnerability is high; women, young children and elderly are particularly vulnerable; pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are priority targets [1,000 days opportunity window];

A group that is rarely reached out in agriculture programmes: rural workers and subsistence farmers. Which public institutions are in charge to tackle poverty and malnutrition issues? Agriculture or Social Protection? One innovation that could improve diet diversity for these vulnerable groups and should be further studied/impact assessed: Nutri-Kitchen gardening kits [for instance promoted through ICRISAT watershed programme] including for instance vegetable seeds, low cost drip system, support for small chicken husbandry, etc. There is a field of research to design the kit and the type of intervention [public support or social business model] as well as impact assessment.

Such vulnerable groups are not homogeneous so social longitudinal studies to understand trends and drivers of change for better nutrition in the targeted malnourished population are important. See for instance Minimum nutrition dataset for agriculture (Tata Cornell Initiative) under the Village Dynamics Studies research programme. To understand the change of dietary patterns through the years (from 1970s), across gender and age, and identify statistically potential drivers (policies, introduction of technology, household economics, …). Read latest insights of this study [April 2015]

Responsibility of food industry – marketing of nutritious foods:

In agrifood policies, often value chain approach prevails to conceptualize how market forces can work so that poorest can have access to more nutritious foods. The reality is that junk foods tend to be much cheaper than healthier diets [ODI, 2015 rising cost of healthy diet report]. Urbanization and marketing of urban lifestyle in rural areas mean an increasing homogeneity towards energy-dense easy-to-eat foods and decrease of more nutritious “indigenous crops” like millets. It has health consequences, with rise of diabetes and other food related ailments [Khoury, 2014]

From the point of view of the poor, the choice to eat nutritious food is not only economic, social norms play a strong role. Drivers of purchase act include: Hedonism (appeal of sugar and oil) and convenience food [eg rice easier/quicker to cook compared to coarse cereals]. There is a responsibility of the food industry, and governments could act through tax for instance. It is important to review and assess the impact of tax on junk food like the tax on sugary drinks in Mexico in 2014.

Funds should be allocated funds to promote nutritious and climate resilient crops like millets, sorghum and grain legumes that are key for dryland farmers. A more diversified farming system (rotation) and growing more water-efficient crops will also improve water and soil resources [See for instance ICRISAT’s smart foods campaign and also in Andhra Pradesh India, the Millet Network of India’s efforts to promote iron-rich millet].

 I would also point out the recent study proving that iron-rich biofortified pearl millet can reverse iron deficiency in school aged Indian children in 6 months. It highlights the potential of biofortification, and looked also at the important aspect of bioavailability. 

Innovation in Africa that could be transferred in South Asia: The concept of Field nutrition schools, a participatory and practical nutrition programme [scheme of nutrition training of trainers chosen among the targeted rural population] has improved nutrition situation in rural South Mali. [article on Guardian professional network Rebranding bran: teaching nutrient-rich cooking in Mali]. The theory of change: Better nutrition education of young mothers/pregnant women and men [with adoption of good practices too, eg breastfeeding, pregnancy health follow-up, hygiene] and adoption of more nutritious recipes using local products [dryland cereals + legumes + fruits/vegetables/tree products rich in vitamins and essential minerals]  and better food preparation [eg looking at whole grain sorghum, impact of grain decortication, fermentation or malting on iron/zinc bioavailability]. More details : An Be Jigi project ; also look at INSTAPA research project.

How this concept of field nutrition school could be adapted in South Asia? [Dr Swaminathan has called for “community hunger fighters”]

Involving women in practical cookery sessions is powerful, well adapted for illiterate target population. Could be linked to other government initiatives like the promotion of clean stoves in South Asia.

Based on your knowledge and experience (in agriculture, food systems, nutrition, or even just on time spent growing your own food), the questions for this consultation are:

1. Are you aware of an untested innovation in South Asian agriculture that has the potential to have a major impact on nutrition and health in the region? YES
2. Are you aware of a tested or untested innovation in Africa or other world region that could be introduced or adapted to the South Asian region and has the potential to improve nutrition outcomes in the South Asian context? YES
3. Among these innovations, are there any interventions in agriculture that might also help to reduce the likely impact of multiple environmental changes on agricultural production in South Asia? YES

Algae is the fastest growing plant in the universe. It can be grown on non-arable land, recycling 85% of all water used and consumes CO2.  The US taxpayer has spent over $2.5 billion on algae research over the last 60 years.  Algae resesearch grant recipients at major universities have stated "all algae technology hurdles have been met.  It's all engineering and scale-up". 

The algae technology has been proven. Third world countries have already grown Spirulina for food. What can our non-profit algae education and trade association do to provide a solution to end malnutrition?

The question is: Does the FAO want to continue doing more research for the next 60 years (after algae research grant recipients stated no more is needed) and purchase more algae research reports or do they want to roll up their sleeves and 'fix' the malnutrition problem using algae for food, feeds and other co-products?

Dear FSN Team,

Greetings from SAFWCO Foundation, Islamabad!

We understand that the looming threat of climate change (CC)  is risking food/nutrition  security in general in marginal settings and of forest-dependent communities in particular. At the same time, CC related risks has further hightened the debate around role of forests in sustainable development, for foresst as sink of Green House Gases(GHGs) have a key role in CC mitigation and well-developed  forest-based GHGs sink can  help avert risks of CC, including around food security & nutrition.

At the same time  there is need to scope, invest in and  promote  innovative agricultural/livestock skills,practices & technologies that will help mitigate CC on one hand and smoothen paradigm shift to Green economy on the other. Use of clean technologies in agriculture is one such area.

Kindest regards,

Dr. Wajid Pirzada

Executive Director

SAFWCO Foundation (www.safwcofoundation.org)

Islamabad, Pakistan.

Dear Sir,

India is endowed with many types of millets like pearl millet, foxtailmillet and many more but in a small area. These millets are not only drought tolerant but also nutritious. As it is being done in case of oats and maize- value added foods (may be nutritious flakes/powder which can be prepared into a dish easily  (Upma) which if pass through a separate supply chain to reach Anganwadi schools is being proposed for improved nutrition of children.

Once this product is accepted, supply chain expansion can be envisaged bringing some Government hostels under this umbrella leading to increased area under these crops. It is a win-win situation.  

On  recent visit to my home country, the Philippines, I was amazed at how a microentrepreneur managed to harness the vitamins and minerals from mangosteen, and provide it in capsule form. Mangosteen has proven to be rich in anti oxidants and tannins that can cure a range of illnesses, from heart problems, joint pains, allergies to cancer. The mangosteen capsules (and now in coffee and tea form) could be procured almost everywhere, however the technology has proven to be exclusive that prices are still non affordable for the masses. I would like to propose testing mangosteen for mass production into capsules or into tea form so that poor people would also avail of it. Alternatively, similar to mangosteen, I would also like to propose testing promegranate for its properties and for possibility for mass production. Promegranate is produced in south India and could be an alternative source of natural medicines for the poor.

Dear Sir,

In order to improve the micronutrition of children or rural people,

If we issue part of the wages in the form of "Kind" instead of complete cash mode: in our childhood days we (children) were asked to shell the groundnuts for money and sometimes they give away part of the shrivelled groundnut seeds as "kind" form. Since this task is being done by machines and also due to the law act against child labour, kind form of wages became extinct. This process/mechanisation could be different but issuing the wages parts in the form of "kind" could be brought into practice again.

Thanks

V.Maruthi   

Dr (Mrs.) V.Maruthi

Rothamsted International Fellow (U.K.)

Principal Scientist (Agronomy)

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture Hyderabad,(A.P.), India

I'm a member of LANSA's advisory group.

This blog (Secure Nutrition, Ed.) is very clear about progress made in FOUR areas that link ag to nutrition: 1. f and v gardens; 2. livestock (poultry); 3. bio- fortification; and 4. cash crops (where they increase income).

1-3 are direct links where and when production is for subsistence (as well as for market).

All 1-4 are indirect links in conditions where marketed surplus results in a) higher incomes which lead to b) better quality food expenditure.

Both those links needs substantiating (This was done by IFPRI and others in the late 1970s and 80s; but exchange conditions have greatly changed since then).

However I am surprised you haven't mentioned other indirect links - and maybe this is where research should be developed.

5. Income-> nutrition - via agricultural labour. Research on agriculture wages, incomes and food expenditure.

6. Malnutrition in children  - >'agriculture plus'. Look at sanitation. Alan has worked on this. It has got to be related (even if normatively) to agriculture.

Research needed on human waste and other biodegradable wastes; manure and recycling to agriculture; and on human waste, disease and nutrition (which may neutralise the beneficial effects of ag for nutrition).  

(I have just returned from first-hand field research on the social relations of waste in and around a small town so I am very aware of the present costs of liquid and solid pollution and the catastrophe that is in the making.)

7. Nutrition and women -> research on the gendered control of food production-distribution-consumption-waste-reconstitution. (Again lots in the 1980s – though not fully systemic - what has happened to it?)

8. Interested that organic ag and SRI aren’t in the frame. Perhaps there’s another indirect link between agriculture, gaseous pollution and long term conditions of soil, water, energy economy, livelihoods and health.

http://www.southasia.ox.ac.uk/resources-greenhouse-gases-technology-and-jobs-indias-informal-economy-case-rice

All best,

Barbara

Barbara Harriss-White: Senior Research Fellow, Area Studies,  Emeritus Professor of Development Studies, Oxford University, Co-ordinator, South Asia Research Cluster, Wolfson College, Oxford

http://www.southasia.ox.ac.uk/resources-greenhouse-gases-technology-and-jobs-indias-informal-economy-case-rice