To address the issues related to plant-based local food systems, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT under UN Environment implemented GEF project, India Office, New Delhi, Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources (ISPGR), New Delhi, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad and Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), New Delhi organised a National Consultation on Plant-based Local Food Systems for Health and Nutritionon 22 October 2020. The virtual consultation was held as a side event of 2nd International Agrobiodiversity Congress, November 15-18, 2021.
The consultation, attended by more than 140 participants and streamed live on YouTube, was organised with the aim of identifying options and preparing action plan for achieving, through plant-based local food systems, ‘Nutrition and Health for all by 2030’. The objective of the consultation was to assess possible options to make the food systems healthy, nutritious, balanced and sustainable; to identify opportunities to create diverse value chains that can promote greater use of plan-based local food systems and; to identify players and action points for intensifying research on plant-based local food systems.
In the inaugural session, the context of the three-hour consultation was set by T Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) & DG, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Juan Lucas Restrepo, DG, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, DG, ICRISAT and Raj Paroda, Chairman, TAAS.
It was followed by thematic presentations on status and strategies for the future of local food systems. Eminent experts from ICAR and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) made presentations on ‘Millets and nutri-cereals’, ‘Major and minor legumes’, ‘Fruits and vegetables’, ‘Spices and medicinal pants’ and ‘Plant-based nutrition security’.
The Panel Discussion was well represented by concerned experts and stakeholders including researchers, policy makers, farmers, community representatives, private industry and non-governmental organisations.
The proceedings of the consultation were recorded and uploaded on the website of 2nd International Agrobiodiversity Congress. (Link to the proceedings - https://www.youtube.com/embed/rX6VAbPiVuU)
For Program and Concept Note, please click here.
