Transforming Global Nutrition: NutriHarvest's Holistic Approach

In a groundbreaking partnership, HarvestPlus and Cargill have launched the NutriHarvest project, a transformative 36-month initiative dedicated to increasing access to nutritious food and impacting over 119,000 farmers across India, Kenya, Tanzania, and Guatemala. This $3 million multi-year project aims to address the global challenge of micronutrient deficiencies by promoting the production and consumption of nutrient-rich foods, including biofortified staple crops, opportunity nutrient-dense crops, and animal-sourced foods.

Empowering Farmers, Nourishing Communities

Cultivating a Resilient Food System through VACS

The NutriHarvest project's VACS (Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils) component is dedicated to increasing the production and consumption of opportunity crops that are both nutritious and climate-resilient. In Kenya and Tanzania, the project will partner with seed companies and farmers to boost the cultivation of legumes and vitamin A sweet potatoes, building a more diverse and resilient food system. By focusing on these nutrient-dense crops, NutriHarvest aims to address the pressing issue of micronutrient deficiencies, which can lead to serious health conditions such as stunting, night blindness, and weakened immunity.

Nourishing Young Minds through Home Grown School Feeding

The NutriHarvest project recognizes the importance of improving dietary diversity for children, and it is doing so by integrating nutrient-dense crops into local school feeding programs. The project will support the production and distribution of biofortified seeds to farming households and link the nutritious grains produced to school feeding programs through school gardens, contracts with farmers and millers, food banks serving schools, and partnerships with local enterprises. This approach will lead to a sustainable increase in the availability of vitamin A maize and iron beans in Kenya and Tanzania, iron pearl millet and zinc wheat in India, and zinc maize and iron beans in Guatemala, ensuring that children have access to the essential nutrients they need for healthy development.

Empowering Poultry Farmers through Hatching Hope

In India, the NutriHarvest project will enhance the capacity of poultry farmers through the Hatching Hope initiative, which was launched in 2018 by Cargill with founding partner Heifer International. The project will provide training and support to farmers, especially women, to help them adopt better and more sustainable poultry farming practices. By improving their livestock farming skills, the project aims to enhance household incomes and drive local economic impact, ultimately contributing to a more secure global food system.

Transforming Lives, Securing the Future

The NutriHarvest project is a comprehensive and innovative approach to addressing global malnutrition. By empowering farmers to grow and market nutrient-rich crops, proteins, and other foods, while also improving their livestock farming skills, the project is making nutritious meals more accessible and affordable in local markets. This holistic approach is driving a broader transformation towards a more secure and resilient global food system, with the potential to create lasting change for communities around the world."We are delighted to partner with Cargill and other partners in this transformative initiative, using our ecosystem approach to deliver improved nutrition through VACs, biofortified crops, and school meals while improving livelihood for smallholder farmers and households," said Arun Baral, CEO of HarvestPlus and HarvestPlus Solutions."In Tanzania, the NutriHarvest Project offers a unique opportunity to respond to the three leading micronutrient deficiencies: vitamin A, iron, and zinc, through production and consumption of opportunity crops that are frequently consumed by households vulnerable to malnutrition," added Penina Muoki, HarvestPlus country manager for Tanzania."As a connector of the global food system, Cargill is uniquely positioned to address the most pressing challenges and help improve food security. Through our work with the NutriHarvest project and VACS, we are deepening our commitment to increasing food access and building long-term resiliency in communities, by that improving nutrition and farmer livelihoods," said Pilar Cruz, Chief Sustainability Officer at Cargill.The launch of the NutriHarvest project represents a significant step forward in the fight against global malnutrition. By harnessing the power of partnerships, innovation, and a holistic approach, this initiative is poised to transform the lives of millions and secure a brighter, more nourished future for communities around the world.