In order to meet health demands, we need to focus on the fortification process and understand how nutrient-rich food will reach consumers. We must know what nutritional value is added after food products leave the farm. Malnutrition can be reduced by combating nutritional food insecurity, said, Inoshi Sharma, Director, FFRC-FSSAI while speaking at the National Conference of The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) on ‘Achieving Nutritional Security Through Agri-Nutri-Food Value Chain.’
For food conservation, it is important to save produce and have a proper food wastage management system. She added that by aligning with the International Year of Millets 2023, we need to revive traditional foods such as millets in our dietary habits. All sections of society need to undergo change to achieve food security.
Speaking at the occasion, Vivek Chandra, Chairman, Food Processing and Value Addition Council, ASSOCHAM & CEO-Global Branded Business, LT Foods in his welcome address said, “The impact and extent of malnutrition are huge on the economy as India loses 10 billion dollars every year with impact of illnesses, malnutrition or death cases.” Societal and national nutrition is the future of the country and everyone in the vulnerable sector of the country.
He continued, ‘Nutrition aims to bring better physical, mental, cognitive health, longevity and stronger immune system and healthy people can bring a change in the society and break the cycle of poverty and hunger for long term success’. Nutritional security is a global challenge and there is a need to increase food production. The agri system to consumer process must be supportive of the resources delivering nutritious food and an integrated multi-sectoral approach is required in the supply chain, he added.
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A joint ASSOCHAM-Nangia Anderson report on ‘Curbing Nutritional Attrition to Achieve Nutritional Security through Agri-Nutri-Food Value Chain’ was released by the dignitaries and panellists during the conference.
According to Akshat Khandelwal, founder and CEO of NuFlower Foods and Nutrition, urban populations are more susceptible to ailments like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity due to a lack of a nutrient-rich diet. The rest is mostly dependent on eating foods with adequate nutritional value. Public-private partnerships for food production burden and a serious consideration of the macronutrient balance are essential for the agricultural sector. He continued, “We need to reintroduce traditional foods into our diet.”
Ishi Khosla, Nutritionist and Founder, Whole Foods, shared her thoughts on the value of millets in this era for food consumption. Food emphasis is to be provided to children under five years of age and 50 per cent of women who are anaemic in India.
Agriculture Post was the media partner of the conference.
