“The biggest supply chain challenge is the risk of biofortified crops mixing with regular ones”

Ravinder Grover, Regional Coordinator-Asia, Harvest Plus

Hidden hunger is a global health crisis, driven in large part by poverty. Despite substantial efforts made by governments to address this multifaceted issue, malnutrition continues to loom large over India’s progress. Staple crop biofortification is a practical, proven, demand-led response to hidden hunger—especially children and particularly among the millions of smallholder farming families who eat mostly what they grow themselves, cannot afford nutritionally diverse diets, and are also not easily reached by food fortification or supplementation initiatives. To address the issue in India, HarvestPlus, an organisation that develops and promotes biofortified crops, launched the HaNSA (Health and Nutrition of School Age Children) programme in collaboration with The Happel Foundation. Speaking about this programme with nuFFOODS Spectrum, Ravinder Grover, Regional Coordinator-Asia, Harvest Plus unfolds its various aspects with the significance of biofortified food in combatting hidden hunger. Edited excerpts:

What has been the journey of Harvest Plus’s HaNSA programme in India? 

The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data shows alarming rates of child malnutrition in India, with 34.7 per cent of under-five children stunted and 58.6 per cent anaemic. To combat this crisis, the HaNSA (Health and Nutrition for School-Age Children) programme was launched. It aims to enhance the nutritional quality of school meals for two million children by introducing locally grown biofortified grains and food products into the government’s Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) in anganwadis and Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) in schools. This collaborative effort engages government agencies, schools, communities, parents, and the private sector while incorporating vital nutrition education in schools and encouraging local farmers to cultivate biofortified crops. 

What is the roadmap to reach an ultimate two million children with biofortified school meals and provide a roadmap for scaling following the project’s end?

The HaNSA programme is charting three pathways to reach its goal of benefiting two million children. Pathway 1 focuses on children aged 3 to 6, providing morning snacks made from Iron Pearl Millet (IPM) and Zinc Wheat (ZW) at Anganwadis post taking permission from District Women and Child Development (WCD) Officials.

Pathway 2 targets children aged > 6 to 13 years by providing either add-on snacks like laddoo, cookies, or biscuits or hot cooked meals made from IPM and ZW to students enrolled in MDMS. School Management Committees (SMCs) play a crucial role in ensuring success here.

Pathway 3 extends across a wider age range, spanning children aged 3 to 13 years. It involves the supply of biofortified grains through institutions like the Food Corporation of India (FCI). These grains are utilised to provide hot cooked meals and Take-Home Rations under MDMS and SNP.

Progress is underway across all three pathways, with grain production initiated through an MoU with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). Additionally, efforts are directed toward obtaining approvals from local government authorities to integrate add-on snacks and hot cooked meals into Pathways 1 and 2.

For long-term sustainability, government endorsement is crucial, as envisioned in Pathway 3. Discussions with the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Ministry of Education (MoE) and Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) have commenced at both the state and national levels, informed by on-the-ground evidence from smaller pilots across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. 

What are the models that were developed under the programme to integrate nutrition within the rural community in a sustainable, scalable, and replicable way?

Under all three pathways, the HaNSA programme operates through the Nutri-Pathshala model. This holistic model aims to address some of the underlying causes of malnutrition, improve school children’s nutritional status, and promote short- and long-term behavioural changes that will translate into lifelong nutrition and health benefits for the whole family.

The Nutri Pathshala model introduces concepts critical to the healthy development of children. Nutri-Khet, which refers to the “fields growing biofortified crops”. Nutrient-enriched seeds and grains are grown by Self-help Groups (SHGs) and farmer-producer companies.

Nutri-Kitchens, or “kitchens cooking nutritious meals” ensure access to safe, nutritious, and wholesome meals. Arogya Clubs, “health clubs” or dedicated spaces for school children to learn about health, nutrition, physical activity, healthy eating habits, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, physical and mental growth, and more.

Nutri-Diary is a tool to track the daily meals consumed and evaluate the impact of the programme. The diary also monitors activities and games associated with a balanced diet and physical activity.

Nutri-Buddy, is a collaboration between senior health and nutrition students from local educational institutions and Nutri Pathshala students to help with project monitoring and adherence to the Nutri-diary while providing support and training to teachers running Arogya Clubs and other related activities.

The first Nutri Pathshala was launched on February 21, 2023 in Maharashtra in collaboration with Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS) and AgroZee Organics Private Limited in Pune.

With the government’s support, the project aims to expand this model across six Indian states (Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana) in the next 3 years.

Does Harvest Plus face any challenges in terms of supply chain management of biofortified crops? How do you overcome the same?

The biggest supply chain challenge is the risk of biofortified crops mixing with regular ones, potentially compromising nutrition. We mitigate this by strengthening local nutritious food production, nutrition awareness, and community engagement. This ensures a quality and scalable supply of biofortified grains, connecting school feeding to local economies.

To achieve a sustainable local economy for IPM and ZW, HarvestPlus has partnered with NRLM under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). This partnership involves collaborating with women farmers in target states for IPM and ZW cultivation. It’s a significant milestone, showcasing government commitment to programme scalability and sustainability. Leveraging NRLM’s extensive network of 70 million women farmers nationwide, we aim to enhance biofortified crop production and participation in the food processing chain.

Do you plan to collaborate with other food industry players?

The programme is establishing partnerships with food industry players to develop and test biofortified snacks and hot-cooked meals under the Nutri-Pathshala model. Partnerships have already been established with players such as Agrozee Pvt. Ltd. in Maharashtra, Grandma Millets in Uttar Pradesh, and Joywing Foundation in Rajasthan. Apart from processing and providing these products to schools as per government guidelines, these organisations will also be working with HarvestPlus to mobilise and spread awareness amongst the community on nutrition education.

Are there any new developments in the company? 

HarvestPlus completed its 20 years in 2023 in the field of promoting nutrition through biofortification. Our focus on partnerships has driven the integration of biofortified seeds, crops, and foods into local, national, and regional policies. This collaborative approach has led to more than 86 million people in farming households across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. 

In India also, we have established strategic partnerships with NRLM and subsequent State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), and State Seed Corporations (SSCs) playing crucial roles in increasing the variety development and production of biofortification crops. Our recent MoU with the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) aims to empower agriculture value chain actors with nutrition smart agriculture knowledge, furthering our mission.

How can R&D efforts in biofortified crops help fight the hidden hunger in India? 

HarvestPlus, as part of CGIAR, has backed the development of over 300 global biofortified varieties, with ICAR leading India’s progress in 132 such crops. Academic-industry collaborations fast-track research and development, uniting academic insights with private sector resources to swiftly bring biofortified crops from labs to communities in need. These collaborations can include private sector involvement in seed production and marketing, rapid testing protocols, and dissemination workshops with ICAR and agricultural universities to align support and policies.

What are your upcoming projects and partnerships with the government?

HarvestPlus’s future plans involve strategic collaborations with government entities like FCI, MoE and MoWCD to integrate biofortified crops into safety net programmes. We’re partnering with the private sector for product testing, mentoring startups, and collaborating with organisations sharing similar goals under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) operations for programme sustainability. 

The Nutri-Pathshala model has the power to make a substantial impact on the health and well-being of communities at large. We encourage corporations to consider allocating a portion of their CSR budgets to support this critical cause, demonstrating their commitment to social responsibility and we also invite startups to collaborate with us to scale up the production and distribution of nutrient-enriched meals, ensuring accessibility to those who need them most. Together, we can create a healthier and more vibrant future for communities across the HaNSA programme, leaving a lasting legacy of positive change.

Mansi Jamsudkar

mansi.jamsudkar@mmactiv.com