Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, was felicitated with the 9th Nutra India Life time achievement award in recognition of his work in the agriculture and nutrition sector. The past recipients of Lifetime Achievement Award were Dr. R.A. Mashelkar and Dr. Ashok D.B. Vaidya. He also released a report on a study of the nutra sector done by NuFFooDs Spectrum.
The event features, an International Conference that focuses on today’s trends and tomorrow’s opportunities delivered by experts from across the globe, a special Doctors & Nutritionists Forum, a CEO Summit, an Awards Function, Interactive Poster session - 'Walkway of Discovery', the partnering InterlinX platform, 'NuFFooDS', The Health & Food Expo. This year more than 15 countries are participating, featuring 70 renowned speakers from across the globe, covering 16 conference session. More than 500 delegates are participating in the Summit and 80 organizations from best of private sector, R & D institutions and Academia are participating in the Tradeshow and Poster session.
The other dignitaries were Shri. Dinesh Gundu Rao, Hon’ble Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Government of Karnataka, Dr. G. Thyagarajan, FRSC, Former Director, CSIR Laboratories, Former Scientific Secretary, COSTED, Dr. Pingfan Rao, President, International Union of Food Science & Technology (IUFoST), Vice President, Chinese Institute of Food Science & Technology, China, Professor & Director, Institute of Biotechnology, Fuzhou University, Fujian, China, Dr. Rickey Yada, President Elect, International Union of Food Science & Technology (IUFoST), Professor, Canada Research Chair in Food Protein Structure, Scientific Director, Advanced Foods and Materials Canada (AFM Canada), Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada and Dr. Judith Meech, Secretary General International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST), Canada, along with Dr. V. Prakash, FRSC, Distinguished Scientist of CSIR – India, Vice President, International Union of Nutritional Science (IUNS), Hon. Director of R&D and Innovation at JSS MVP, Mysore, Chairman, 9th Nutra India Summit and Shri Jagdish Patankar, Organizing Secretary, Nutra India Summit; Managing Director, MM Activ Sci- Tech Communications Co. Publisher, NuFFooDs Spectrum.
In his address Prof. M S Swaminathan said, “new sutra for nutra” - such an apt theme for this year's nutra event. Zero hunger is a key challenge that we face. There are nearly 200 districts in India that have been identified as hunger districts in India. We need 100% access for food to all, increase in small holder and productivity, 0 loss or waste of food, hunger can be eliminated in our life time. The South Asian enigma is that 39% of the kids suffer stunted growth and low birth weight. One in Four kids die due to hunger and malnutrition. In fact under nourishment reduces nation’s economic advance by 8%.”
He said, “During 1970-1985, worldwide there was vast famines and world scientists predicted that within 2030 population of the world would die of hunger rather than war and plague etc….We saw a Green revolution earlier. Wheat production was the highest between 1964-1968. Incidentally India has been developing wheat varieties since the past 4000yrs. In the recent past, 2013 proved to be a significant year in India for the struggle against hunger with the nutrition food security act conferring the legal right to food through parliament.”
“There are three major dimensions of hunger - Calorie deprivation, Protein deficiency and Micronutrient deficiency, but there are other food and non food factors. Some of the Challenges of the national food security bill is how to Provide food and nutrition to all, how to enlarge the bread basket and how to enrich crops.” he added.
Some of the Challenges ahead he said are loss of food, climatic changes, shrinkage of per capital land and shortages of water resources, expansion of biotic and abiotic stresses, market volatility, sea water farming, and make the youth to take part in farming.
Speaking on educating people he said, “Some of the foods that we come across every day have plenty of nutritional value. We need to ensure that the message is passed on to the public. For example Moringa (drumstick) it has 25% iron, 17%calcium, 15% potassium, 15 times more vitamins than carrot, similarly sweet potato (orange), high iron pearl millet, golden rice is rich in vitamins. Besides we need to form a community of hunger fighter, the main goals of this community is that there should be no wastage of food or loss of food, a better food consumption system, improved health literacy and nutritional literacy.”
“There should also be a good farming system in place for nutrition. Kerala is a well known state for medicinal plants, oils and herbs and rice varieties. Honey is a very nutritious food item but in certain parts of the world research has revealed that honey contains traces of pesticide.” he said, throwing caution to the wind.
“In our tryst to fight malnutrition there are communities in place in case of calamities. There are Global gene and seed banks in Europe and one in the Himalayas.” He Concluded by quoting Hippocrates “Let food be thy medicine.”
Shri. Dinesh Gundu Rao, said, “We are having a major food shortage in the country and it is important for the nutra sector to grow fast. And it is the science community that can help us overcome this shortage. People are suffering from malnutrition and food grain shortage and undernourished children are a plenty. The food and security act is an important step in the direction of combating food shortage. The government will take on priority that adequate funding is provided for for the health and agriculture sector.”
Dr. G. Thyagarajan, said, “there are plenty of business opportunities in the country and world over in the nutra sector. It can be a major front to improve the economy of our country. For this there should be a formation of global research alliance that provide intellectual platform to various research. So that the sector flourishes.”
Dr. Pingfan Rao, said, “It is important that a proper way is utilized to maintain the nutritional value of food. Research institutions and scientists all over the world are working for the betterment of food and improve the value of by utilizing science and technology. Whatever said and done 'food is precious.' There's an innovative cookie manufacturer in Taiwan who makes cookies that contains a very high nutritional value. Ensuring that even if a person has just a couple of cookies his or her full quota of nutrition is fulfilled. Compared to some of the other countries India and china are a better place to make one happy in terms of food. But food safety and regulation must be of paramount importance. The education of nutrition is important for the common man to the point that he or she understands the nutritional value of the food one is consuming.”
With India rapidly becoming a Wellness and Health conscious Nation supported by a robust economic growth rate has created a major awareness in Nutrition, Pharmaceuticals and Health Food Products India is one of the most Bi-diverse countries, rich in Natural wealth as well as source of great erudition in ancient Traditional Knowledge and is soon expected to be one of the largest markets for Nutra Products.
India is emerging as a hub for Domestic & International manufactures of Nutraceuticals, Health & Food Products. With increased need and awareness in Nutra products, India is expected to be the largest market for Fast Moving Health Goods (FMHG) in the near future. The Summit offers an ideal platform for Exporters, Importers, Sourcing companies, Production and Purchase Professionals as well as Doctors, Nutritionists and R&D Heads.
Karnataka State has always been a pioneer of new Industry revolutions which has led India on its Growth Curve. Today, Karnataka State is one of the Leading States in India which has engendered Information Technology & Biotechnology (IT&BT) revolutions to make India a Global IT & BT Hub that is drawing Foreign Investments. It has the excellent Infrastructure and Facilities with right Government Support and Regulatory policies to encourage new Industry to flourish.
For more information on Nutra India Summit, visit: http://www.nutraindiasummit.in