Collaboration for a nutritious future: APAARI (Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions) and HarvestPlus unite to accelerate adoption of nutrition smart agricultural practices across Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) and HarvestPlus have embarked on an exciting collaboration aimed at increasing the adoption of nutrition and climate-smart agricultural technologies across the Asia-Pacific region. This partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing food and nutrition security, promoting sustainable agriculture, and building resilience in the face of emerging challenges. By collaborating, both organizations aim to accelerate the development, dissemination, and uptake of nutritionally enriched crops to benefit millions of people in the region.

“APAARI and HarvestPlus have signed a Partnership Statement to collaborate on agri-food systems transformation with special reference to enhancing the role of biofortification in crops for achieving nutrition security in the Asia-Pacific region.” – Dr Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Secretary of APAARI.

“Across the Asia-Pacific region, there is an opportunity to accelerate nutrition security by integrating nutrient-enriched staple food crops into food systems. We are delighted to work together with APAARI to enhance agricultural research across the region and improve equitable access to nutritious crops for smallholder farmers.” – Arun Baral, CEO, HarvestPlus.

This collaborative effort between APAARI and HarvestPlus holds great promise in advancing agricultural technologies and practices, improving nutrition, and building more resilient and sustainable food systems for the Asia-Pacific region. As they work hand in hand, both organizations are dedicated to making a lasting impact and positively transforming the lives of millions.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:harvestplus@cgiar.org

About APAARI:

APAARI is a membership-based, apolitical, multi-stakeholder, and intergovernmental regional organization that aims to catalyze collective action to improve agri-food systems in the Asia-Pacific region. It brings together regional, national and global stakeholders to bridge gaps and strengthen agri-food research and innovation systems towards more sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

About HarvestPlus:

HarvestPlus improves nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals and providing global leadership on biofortification evidence and technology. HarvestPlus works across CGIAR as part of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

Achieving food and nutrition security is a key priority in India. One of the key routes to achieving a resilient and improved food system through nutrient-rich crops requires a reorientation of relevant policies. While India has separate policies on agriculture, food security, and nutrition, a food systems approach requires more integrated attention to implement planned strategies.

The need to systematically tackle food issues is increasingly recognized. Synergies and trade-offs across sectors such as livelihoods, environment, and health are not trivial, and working in silos risks progress in one area, driving setbacks in others. The agenda for food systems strengthening for nutrient-rich crops within India is understandably large and complex, with many diverse stakeholders involved. Not only is sustained progress at state and local levels warranted but also consensus on the way forward is critically important.

Against this backdrop, FICCI, is organizing Global Summit on Strengthening food systems for Nutrient-rich Crops on 19th July 2023 in Hotel The Lalit, Barakhamba, New Delhi. The symposium will focus on malnutrition and rising nutrition insecurity and a call for collective action on food system approach towards improving our nutrition indicators, with perspectives from government and industry. It would bring together personnel from diverse organizations in the health, nutrition, agriculture, climate action, gender, and sustainability sectors to deliberate a holistic approach to strengthening nutrition for the future.

Please register yourself by clicking on the this link

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