Patancheru, India – World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) and HarvestPlus are pleased to announce a new partnership aimed at enhancing nutritional security by promoting nutrient-rich vegetables. More than 309 million people are facing acute hunger globally, this initiative will focus on providing vulnerable communities with better access to nutritious foods.

WorldVeg brings significant expertise to this collaboration, with a robust collection of 65,152 accessions of 330 species of vegetable varieties, including those that thrive in difficult environmental conditions. HarvestPlus improves nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals, and providing global leadership on biofortification evidence and technology. HarvestPlus is a part of the International Food Policy Research Institute.

“We are excited about this collaboration. Together, we can empower communities to grow their own nutritious vegetables and enhance their diets.” said Aravazhi Selvaraj, India Country Director of WorldVeg.

​The primary goal of this partnership is to leverage the unique expertise of both organizations to combat malnutrition effectively. ​ “In a world where three billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, our work is making a meaningful contribution in providing healthy and affordable nutritious foods to over 330 million people. However, much more needs to be done to enrich food systems and provide access to safe, affordable healthy diets, especially to those, who need it the most.,” said Arun Baral, CEO of HarvestPlus.

The partnership will kick off in India, Bangladesh, Tanzania, and Kenya, focusing on vegetables rich in essential vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and vitamin A. Our approach aims to not only combat hidden hunger but also to create a healthier future for communities struggling with nutrition.

Here are some of the key initiatives, the partnership will focus on:

Promoting Nutrient-Dense Farming: We shall encourage farmers to mix it up by growing a variety of crops that are packed with nutrients.

Building Stronger Value Chains: Developing effective channels to help rural communities access affordable and nutritious foods is crucial.

Agricultural Support: We shall provide hands-on training and resources to help farmers cultivate nutrient-dense vegetables successfully.

Better Postharvest Management: Implementing techniques to preserve vegetables will help maintain their nutritional value after harvest.

Home Gardening Initiatives: We shall promote home gardens, giving families the chance to grow their own healthy vegetables right at home.