Today, Ashoka Changemakers introduced a new global campaign, called “Nutrients for All”, to tackle malnutrition issues around the world. The five elements of the nutrient value chain that Ashoka is focusing on are productive ecosystems, nutrient rich farming, smart processing and distribution, nutrient rich foods, and health and vitality.
Nutrient value chain of productive ecosystems endorses opportunities related to Biomimicry, reforestation, agro-ecology, and sustainable natural resource management. While nutrient rich farming promotes initiation of projects that provide farmers with more agricultural knowledge.
The smart processing and distribution discussion highlights the issue of mass-produced nutrient deficient foods. Similarly, nutrient rich foods emphasizes on the nutritional quality, and not absolute quantity, of food. Lastly, the health and vitality nutrition issue brings light to the absence of proper nutrition measurement tools.
Over the past years, Ashoka has first-handedly witnessed problems related to these five nutrition elements, mainly in the regions of Africa and Asia, through its Fellows’ experiences. Those experiences have led to serious concerns and novel insights on the nutrient chain.
Ashoka plans to share those concerns and insights, through the “Nutrients for All” campaign, by displaying stories of Fellows with successful nutrition initiatives. Ashoka also plans to invite more people into the crucial discussion of malnutrition through a competition.
Entries for the competition will open in April 2013. After selecting winners in July 2013, Ashoka will work with the chosen innovators to help them build their solutions.