ICRISAT 15 Jan 2016 (http://www.icrisat.org/finger-millet-can-help-address-malnutrition/ )

Finger millet can play a key role in fighting malnutrition and bringing down the numbers of malnourished children under five years of age.

“Finger millet is high in calcium, zinc and iron. Hence it is good for children, young women and breast-feeding mothers. It possesses important amino acids, which help fight malnutrition and degenerative diseases,” said Dr Rhoda Nungo, Food Nutritionist, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) – Alupe Research Centre, Busia. She was speaking at a training program led by ICRISAT.

By working in synergy with the Beyond Zero Campaign spearheaded by the First Lady of Kenya, HE Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta, the level of malnourished children under the age of five can be reduced from the current 30% to 15% or less, she said.

he Beyond Zero Campaign targets infants, pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers and children below five years with the goal of reducing food insecurity and eliminating maternal deaths.

Dr Rhoda also stressed on imbibing healthy eating habits in order to fight hidden hunger, malnutrition and disease. She said it can be achieved by promoting consumption of smart foods like sorghum, finger millet and groundnuts that have high nutritional benefits. Groundnuts contain heart-friendly fats, have a high concentration of antioxidants and are a good source of folates and vitamins. Finger millet besides being good for children and mothers is good for the elderly and diabetics as it takes longer to digest and glucose is released slowly into the blood. Sorghum too has high nutritional value, with high levels of unsaturated fats, protein, fiber and minerals like phosphorus, potassium, calcium and iron.

The training was organized at the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC), Busia on 7-8 January by the Drought Tolerant Crops (DTCs) component of the FTF-AVCD Program for Kenya.

Figure: Participants at a finger millet seed production plot in KALRO-Alupe Research Centre. Photo: P Audi, ICRISAT