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Which organizations organized this event?
A landmark event was organized by NARO and held at the Esella Hotel on January 29th, 2024. Various organizations converged to address the pressing issue of malnutrition through biofortification. Among the notable attendees were NaSARRI (National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute), Agro Max, Foundation for Food Research, NARO (National Agricultural Research Organisation), Makerere University PhD students, and Innovation for Crop Improvement.
Also Read: Dr. Scovia Adikini discusses the major benefits of consuming finger millet
Who Attended The 2024 Sorghum Biofortofication For Dry Land Consumption Meeting?
Several keynote speakers showed up such as Dr. Adikini Scovia from NARO, Dr. Michael A. Ugen from NaSARRI, and Dr. Natabirwa Hedwig, who provided updates on the progress of the project to biofortify Sorghum. Attendees were treated to insightful discussions led by Dr. Biruma Moses, where the prevailing misconception of Sorghum as food for the impoverished was debunked.
Are cereals meant for only people living in dry areas?
Dr. Moses highlighted the paradoxical fact that the tallest people in Uganda hail from Karamoja, where Sorghum serves as the staple food due to its resilience in dry climates. He emphasized Sorghum’s nutritional richness and underscored the importance of biofortification in enhancing its value for consumption across all demographics, particularly in arid regions.
What is the goal of Sorghum Biofortofication?
“The goal of biofortification is to make Sorghum more accessible and appealing to everyone, regardless of their geographical location,” Dr. Moses emphasized during the discussion. “Through innovative approaches, we aim to ensure that Sorghum becomes a staple in every household, especially in regions where malnutrition is prevalent.”
What was achieved?
The conference sparked optimism among attendees as they exchanged ideas and forged partnerships to advance biofortification initiatives. Several new products from sorghum were launched. These included, Pop sorghum which looks like popcorn, Sorghum composite flour, as well as Millet composite flour. Such products are designed to provide more nutrients to the body as compared to the original sorghum and millet. That’s because dry areas hardly access foods that require special climate.
With concerted efforts from diverse stakeholders, the prospect of combating malnutrition through fortified crops like Sorghum appears increasingly promising. As the conference concluded, participants expressed their commitment to driving forward this transformative agenda, heralding a new era in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
A Conversation With John Emmanio From NATO Concerning Biofortofication Of Sorghum
Q: Greetings, Mr. Emmanuel. Could you please introduce yourself?
A: Certainly. I’m John Emmanio, a NARO research technician based at the National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute. My work primarily revolves around dryland cereals such as sorghum, millet, and pearl millet. We’ve developed various products like pop-sorghum and composite flour aimed at benefiting semi-arid communities in Uganda and Africa. These technologies are intended to uplift the lives of small-scale farmers by harnessing the potential of sorghum for industrial growth, as seen with Nile breweries contributing significantly to Uganda’s GDP through sorghum-based products. NARO Nasai is at the forefront of efforts to advance industrialization in line with President Yoweri Museveni’s vision for 2014.
Everything that you need to know
Q: Could you tell us about today’s event?
A: Today’s event marks the inception meeting for the biofortification of sorghum, targeting hunger and malnutrition in East Africa’s dryland regions. It took place on January 29th, 2023, at the Cellar Country Hotel in Wakiso, Uganda.
Q: For those unfamiliar, what is sorghum biofortification?
A: Biofortification entails enhancing the nutritional value of crops lacking specific nutrients, such as vitamin A in beans and potatoes. These fortified crops are aimed at malnourished communities, especially vulnerable groups like the old, pregnant women, mothers, and children.
Q: What solutions were being discussed at the meeting?
A: Our strategy at NARO involves seeking partners to distribute our prototypes while retaining intellectual property rights. We aim to ensure that technologies developed by our research scientists reach grassroots farmers, addressing issues like malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups. By partnering with organizations worldwide, we seek to promote livelihoods and combat diseases like arthritis and diabetes, which are exacerbated by low cereal intake.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A: I urge people in Uganda and across Africa to embrace cereal crops for their high nutritional value and disease-fighting potential. I also call upon the medical community to join us in the fight against malnutrition and hunger in Africa. Many thanks to NARO for organizing this event.
