Context

The largest agriculture associations in Africa and Asia met recently in Hyderabad to sign an agreement for diversifying major food staples and creating a new industry, with the intent of bringing some ‘Smart Food’ back on the plate as major staples.

About

• The Smart Food Executive Council has been formed under the aegis of the Smart Food Initiative that was launched in 2013 and stemmed from the strategic thinking around the need for food that fulfils the criteria of being good for the consumer, good for the planet and good for the farmer.
• A major objective under the initiative is to diversify staples which can have the strongest impact on nutrition, the environment and farmer welfare This would contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for overcoming poverty and hunger (SDG 1 and 2), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), along with adaptation to climate change (Goal 13). The approach taken will include gender equality (SDG 5) and action through partnerships (SDG 17).
• Following associations got together to form the Smart Food Executive Council:
  • The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI)
  • Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
  • West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF)
  • Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN)
  • The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

Significance

• This new partnership strengthens collaborations between Asia and Africa and can open up opportunities to join forces at any point along the value chain, from consumers through to processors, chefs through to farmers, researchers and others.
• This would have a strong impact on nutrition and the environment, in turn helping to fulfil Sustainable Development Goals.