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Karnataka agri dept and Akshaya Patra launch millets in Akshara Dasoha
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Wednesday, 17 January, 2018, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Nandita Vijay, Bengaluru
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The Karnataka department of agriculture, along with the Akshaya Patra Foundation, has launched a pilot in partnership to introduce millets in the mid-day meal scheme with the aim of enhancing the nutritional intake of the beneficiaries. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) will be the knowledge partner guiding this approach.
The move is the promote Smart Foods. This is in a run-up to the Organics and Millets 2018 International Trade Fair, which is slated to take place at the Bangalore Palace between January 19 and 21.
The pilot will cover 1,622 beneficiaries across 10 government and government-aided schools In the initial phase, children will receive millet-based items like upma, bisibelebath, sweet and khara pongal twice a week, in addition to the existing mid-day meal menu from Akshaya Patra’s centralised kitchens. The implementation will be undertaken in a phased and systematic approach under the direction of leading subject matter experts and nutritionists.
Karnataka agriculture minister Krishna Byre Gowda served millet items to the Akshaya Patra beneficiaries at the event. Chanchalapathi Dasa, vice-chairman, Akshaya Patra Foundation, presided over the event, which was held at the Government Higher Primary School at Kumaraswamy Layout, Bengaluru.
“The country has taken strides in achieving food security. The mid-day meal programme, started in Karnataka, has ensured food security for children. To further this agenda, it is imperative that we focus on nutrition security, particularly amongst children,” Gowda said.
“Introducing millets in mid-day meals is a great beginning towards ascertaining this. Millets are not only rich in nutrients, but they are also good for our health, smallholder farmers and for the environment. This makes them smart food,” he added.
“We are very happy to undertake this initiative in association with Akshaya Patra as the chief implementing agency, and ICRISAT as the knowledge partner,” stated Gowda.
The global Smart Food movement initiated by ICRISAT has been developed with the aim to mainstream selected smart foods, back as staples, in their traditional countries across Asia and Africa, bringing diversity in diets and on the farms.
Joanna Kane-Potaka, leader, Smart Food Initiative, ICRISAT, said, “Making millets popular to the masses again will be a major breakthrough in overcoming malnutrition and rural poverty while being more sustainable for the environment. It can also drive new markets and business opportunities. It is also predicted to be the next superfood, globally.”
Similarly, Akshaya Patra had earlier launched millet snacks in the form of khaja, chikki, laddoos, etc. as a part of the mid-day meal programme covering 1,05,724 children in government schools and anganwadi centres in Telangana, during the first week of January.
Other organisations who will contribute to this initiative are the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), the M S Swaminathan Foundation (MSSRF), the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) and other government and industry groups.
By working together and adopting a large-scale approach, Akshaya Patra is optimistic of making a significant impact towards India’s nutrition mission for the benefit of the current and future generations.
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