NUTRIFOODS Project Progresses In Spite Of Challenges

NUTRIFOODS project “Innovative approach- es to value-addition and commercialization of climate-smart crops (CSFC) for enhanced food security and nutrition in Africa and be- yond” is a cooperation between African and European Universities and private sector. The aim of NUTRIFOODS is to enhance food and nutrition security and improved livelihoods of stakeholders in the climate-smart food crops (CSFC) value chain. This to be achieved through developing and testing improved baking ingredients from climate-smart crops in Africa; commercializing the new ingredi- ents; and improving capacity for training, research and development in CSFCs namely cassava and cowpeas.

The project has completed a consumer survey in which users and consumers of the developed ingredients and their needs were established; screened different cassava varieties in Uganda for processing suitability different industrial applications; developed processing protocol for cassava and cowpeas to impart properties for differ- ent industrial applications. The project is also support- ing graduate students.

The NUTRIFOODS project is supported by the Gov- ernment of Uganda and European Union under the LEAP AGRI program. The project partners are Wagen- ingen University – Netherlands, Bake Five BV – Neth- erlands, Technical Research Center of Finland – Fin- land, University of Pretoria – South Africa, University of Venda – South University, Bakery Incubation Center (BICSA) – South Africa, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute – Kenya, Nutreal Ltd – Uganda and Makerere University, with Assoc. Professor Yusuf Byaruhanga as the PI.