Over 3 billion people worldwide, primarily in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, struggle to afford a diverse and nutritious diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Climate challenges have further exacerbated food and nutrition insecurity, making it harder for communities to thrive. Millions in rural areas rely on smallholder farmers for their daily foods. HarvestPlus and its partners are addressing this issue by naturally enriching crops with vital minerals and vitamins, providing healthier options for households and local markets in the Global South.
HarvestPlus in collaboration with AARDO, will conduct a 4-day online international training program from September 15-18, 2025. This course is designed for representatives from AARDO member countries, including mid- to senior-level executives from government departments, ministries, agriculture scientists, and engineers focused on nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The program will focus on integrating biofortication into food systems to create a healthier future.
Course Contents
Introduction to Biofortification
Nutrition Studies and Impact
Program Delivery Case Studies
Value Chain Integration & Market Linkages
Policy Advocacy and Communication
Objectives
- Equip participants with knowledge on biofortification as a strategy to address malnutrition and food insecurity, focusing on sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize nutrition and climate resilience.
- Analyze development and scaling up of biofortified crops in Asia and Africa, highlighting key achievements, best practices, challenges, and opportunities for impact.
- Orient participants on effective advocacy and communication strategies to promote biofortification, including stakeholder engagement, policy influence, and consumer awareness.
- Educate participants on integrating nutrient-enriched staple crops into value chains and establishing market linkages, ensuring access to nutritious food.
Essential Qualifications
- Bachelors Degree in Sciences/or its equivalent with a considerable working experience in planning and executing programmes related to the subject of the training;
- Must be subject enthusiast related to the programme.
- Must be willing to undertake an online training course.
Target Audience
The training programme will be attended by Senior, mid-level government officials, policymakers, academicians, and technicians from AARDO member countries.
Medium of Communication
The medium of communication is English. The participants are expected to have a good working knowledge of English.
Session Timings
14:00-16:00 hrs (Indian Standard time)
How to Apply
Step 1: Fill up the details and submit. Take print out of the filled in application form.
Step 2: :Applicants are required to sign their applications and send them along with the recommendation letter of the Nodal Ministry of AARDO/Centre of Excellence to our email: [email protected]
The participants of the training pogramme will be selected jointly by AARDO and HarvestPlus.
WhatsApp communication will be established among the participants, host institute and AARDO for faster communication and information sharing.
Authenticated Digital Certificate with the signature of the Country Manager HarvestPlus and H.E. Secretary General, AARDO will be provided after the successful completion of the training programme.
Deadline for Application September 10, 2025
About AARDO
The AFRICAN- ASIAN RURAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION is a rural centric inter- governmental autonomous organization located at 2, State Guest Houses Complex, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India.
AARDO is mandated to develop understanding among members for better appreciation of each other’s problems and to collectively explore, opportunities for coordination of efforts for the welfare and eradication of thirst, hunger, illiteracy, disease, and poverty amongst rural people in the African-Asian region. The Organization comprises 36 members, which include 32 countries namely, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tunisia, and Zambia from Africa, and Bangladesh, R.O. China (Taiwan), India, Iraq, Jordan, R.O. Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Palestine, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria and Yemen from Asia, as the full members. In addition, our associate members include:
• Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC), Republic of Korea
• Agricultural Bank of Sudan (ABS), Sudan
• Ekiti Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (EKICCIMA), Nigeria
• Economic and Social Development Center (ESDC), Palestine
AARDO is promoting South-South Triangular cooperation in the domain of agricultural and rural development. As such, AARDO is championing and advocating more science to rural societies for inclusive transformation of rural areas in Africa and Asia.
Program Coordinators
Dr. Sanjeeb Behera
Head, IEC & PPP Divisions
African Asian Rural Development Organization
E-mail : [email protected]
Mobile : +919810664507
Mr. Kamal Dhameja
Head, Administration & CBDP Divisions
African Asian Rural Development Organization
E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile : +918076448341
Binu Cherian
Country Manager, HarvestPlus India
c/o ICRISAT, Building #303, Patancheru,
Telangana State, India
[email protected]
Govind Mahalingam
Senior Scientist, HarvestPlus India
c/o ICRISAT, Building #303, Patancheru,
Telangana State, India
[email protected]