Many developing countries are affected by health, food security and climate change related issues simultaneously. On the health front, they are facing the triple burden of malnutrition, namely stagnating undernutrition, widespread micronutrient deficiencies and rising incidence of obesity. In India, there is large scale prevalence of stunted growth among under-five age group children (38%) and anaemia among women of reproductive age (51%). On the other hand, obesity is fast increasing across the rural and urban areas. Furthermore, chronic and non-communicable diseases are on the rise. For example, the prevalence of Type-II diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance were affecting, at an alarming rate, both rural (2.4%) and urban (11.6%) populations. Increasing research and epidemiological evidence link the lack of dietary diversity to these health issues.
On the food front, breaking down of local and regional food systems has led to fast decline in dietary diversity and food safety. Presence of unwanted chemicals has increased in the foods. The breaking down of local food systems is partly due to large scale decline in agricultural biodiversity, which is happening across the states. .
Read MoreFrom 2011-14 it has led a project by name “Revalorising Small Millets in Rainfed Regions of South Asia (RESMISA)” along with Canadian Mennonite University, Canada, LI-BIRD, Nepal and Arthacharya Foundation, Sri Lanka. This project aimed to improve cultivation and consumption of small millets in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka by addressing constraints both on the demand and supply side. It had comprehensive agenda covering conservation, cultivation, processing, value addition, promotion and policy advocacy. As a follow up of RESMISA project, DHAN Foundation implemented “Scaling up Small Millet Post-harvest and Nutritious Food Products Project” along with McGill University from 2016-2018. This project aimed to develop and apply ways for scaling up small millet processing and value addition technologies to reduce drudgery of women and improve the nutritional security in India. Both the projects were supported by International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Global Affairs Canada (Then CIDA) as part of competitive calls under Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF).
Read More
DHAN Foundation was bestowed with National Siridhanya Award 2019 under ‘Best NGO’ category by Department of Agriculture, Karnataka and Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) for its work on millets since 2011. The award was given by Mr. N. H. Shivashankar Reddy, Honorable Agriculture Minister of Karnataka in the valedictory function of Organics & Millets 2019 International Trade Fair on 20th January 2019 at Palace grounds, Bengaluru. It was received by Mr. M. Karthikeyan, Chief Executive, Small Millet Foundation, a division of DHAN Foundation focusing on scaling up millet related initiatives, on behalf of DHAN Foundation. This award is recognition of efforts of team members of DHAN Foundation and its partners -Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, All India Coordinated Small Millet Improvement Project of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, McGill University, Canadian Mennonite University and many value chain actors- and well-wishers. DHAN Foundation thanks Department of Agriculture, Karnataka and IIMR for the appreciation and encouragement.