Pune, 13th March : In
a recent collaboration, Cargill and HarvestPlus have joined forces on a project
to address micronutrient deficiency and
promote nutrition literacy across Maharashtra. The project, led by HarvestPlus
and HarvestPlus Solutions, aims to empower rural communities by improving
access to nutritious food and raise awareness about healthy eating through
‘Nutri Pathshala’.
Nutri
Pathshala is a Home-Grown Nutritious School
Meals initiative by HarvestPlus Solutions that connects smallholder
farmers growing biofortified crops with school feeding programs across India.
By providing smallholder farmers with high-quality iron-enriched pearl millet
and zinc-enriched wheat seeds as well as training in sustainable agricultural
practices, the initiative ensures naturally nutritious
biofortified meals for children in Pune, Nashik, and Nandurbar districts of
Maharashtra. At the same time, it strengthens local agricultural economies and
fosters sustainable food systems that benefit both farmers and future
generations.
Speaking
about the partnership, Simon George, President Cargill India, said, “We are
keen to work alongside HarvestPlus and HarvestPlus Solutions to help address
the critical issue of micronutrient deficiency in India. This partnership
reflects Cargill’s deep commitment to helping communities improve their
nutrition levels by making biofortified crops, packed with vital vitamins and
minerals, more accessible. By combining our agricultural expertise and global
reach, we hope to make a real difference in the lives of millions, providing
lasting solutions to reduce micronutrient deficiency and promote food
security.”
“This
partnership with Cargill is a significant step toward making nutritious food
accessible to all. By linking smallholder farmers to school meal programs, we
are creating a sustainable food system that nourishes both communities and
future generations," said Ravinder Grover, Global Business Manager,
HarvestPlus Solutions.
A
key ally in this mission is Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who—as a champion of Nutri
Pathshala—is helping to shift public perceptions of healthy eating, ensuring
that nutrition literacy becomes a part of everyday life.
Nutri Pathshala, a pan-India initiative, is being
implemented in select schools in Maharashtra as part of the NutriHarvest
project funded by Cargill and implemented by HarvestPlus and HarvestPlus
Solutions. The project addresses the critical need to accelerate the scaling of
food systems innovations that improve access to healthy diets for vulnerable
populations. Nutri Pathshala strives to foster a culture of nutrition literacy,
by incorporating nutrition awareness for parents and teachers, distributing
‘Nutri-Diaries’ and establishing health clubs in schools. In Maharashtra and
Uttar Pradesh this initiative aims to serve 1.4 million nutritious meals by
2027 and build a healthier future --one meal at a time.