Smart Food

Smart Food is a global initiative led by the ICRISAT, a member of the CGIAR System Organization, and is jointly led with FARA, CORAF, FANRPAN and APAARI.[1] It was founded with the Vision to create a world where food is good for consumers, good for the planet and good for the farmers.[2][3]

Smart Food
MottoGood for you . the planet . the farmer
Formation2013
FounderICRISAT
Founded atHyderabad, India
TypeFood, Millets, Sorghum, Legumes, Pulses
HeadquartersHyderabad, Telangana, India
Parent organization
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Websitewww.smartfood.org

History

Smart Food Initiative was launched by ICRISAT in 2013. A major objective under the initiative is to promote the consumption of Millets, Sorghum and Legumes which can have a major impact on nutrition, the environment, and farmer welfare.[4] Ms. Joanna Kane-Potaka, Assistant Director-General, External Relations, ICRISAT, is the Executive Director of Smart Food Initiative which is currently hosted at ICRISAT.[5]

In January 2019, an Executive Council was established through the signing of Memorandums of Understanding. All Executive Council members have equal voting rights: Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), along with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).[6] In India, Smart Food is co-led by ICAR-IIMR.[7]

First Lady of Niger, Lalla Malika Issoufou became the ambassador of Smart Food in March, 2019.[8]

The Smart Food Approach

This initiative leads a campaign to drive demand and to develop value chains for Smart Food crops. To benefit smallholder farmers and poor rural communities via research and outreach programs in countries like East and South Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi), West and Central Africa (Niger, Nigeria, Mali)[9] and Asia Pacific (India,[10] Taiwan, Myanmar).[11] Smart Food initiative envisions Smart Food crops becoming a part of regular diets and the food system by building millets and sorghum.[12][13][14]

Smart Food Reality TV Shows

In 2017, The first Smart Food reality TV show was held in Kenya. The first Smart Food Culinary Challenge was launched with 58 student chefs from 16 culinary institutes across India. The show was held at the Organics and Millets International Trade Fair in Bengaluru in January, 2019.[15]

Awards & Recognition
  • Smart Food was selected by USAID and Australia as winning innovation for 2017 at Global Platform Launch Food[16][17]

References
  1. Reporter, Staff (2 February 2017). "Global recognition for millets project". The Hindu.
  2. "Smart Food Executive Council". INSIGHTS. 21 January 2019.
  3. "Smart Food Good for You" (PDF). AsianINC500.
  4. "Africa and Asia come together to lead a global initiative to diversify staples". CGIAR.
  5. "Joanna Kane-Potaka: Smart Food". LAUNCH.
  6. "Farming smart foods". @businessline.
  7. "Akshaya Patra launch millets in mid-day meals". www.akshayapatra.org.
  8. "First Lady of Niger Becomes Smart Food Ambassador | APAARI Community". apaari.org.
  9. "Can these super-crops feed Africa?". BBC News.
  10. Worthington, Brett (18 August 2018). "Millet, an ancient grain with the potential to tackle drought, obesity". ABC Rural.
  11. "Smart Food Nutrition Activities Kicks Off in Kenya". International Livestock Research Institute. 9 April 2019.
  12. "What are Millets and Sorghum, and Why Should We Use Them?". Food Tank. 4 April 2018.
  13. "'Smart food of 21st century' for the children". Governance Now. 6 June 2018.
  14. "Smart Food Flyers | APAARI Community".
  15. "Young chefs face-off in first Smart Food Culinary Challenge". YOUNG CHEFS FACE-OFF IN FIRST SMART FOOD CULINARY CHALLENGE.
  16. "Smart Food selected as a global LAUNCH Food innovation". ICRISAT.
  17. "Smart Food: Good for you, the planet and the farmer". SDG2 Advocacy Hub.
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