Food security and nutrition: The contribution of dietary diversification, supplementation, fortification, bio-fortification etc. to better health of the world’s poor

A Workshop organised by the KFPE on 4 May 2011

Summary
In Switzerland, a number of research and development organisations work on different nutritional, health and food security issues in developing countries. Sufficient and safe quality food, but also issues like dietary diversification, supplementation as well as bio-fortification with vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) are being studied and addressed in the context of locally available, culturally acceptable and balanced food solutions. Given the relevance of food security and nutrition for health and development and their interdependence, the need for a brainstorming meeting was formulated by several experts. The participants of the meeting gained an overview on research activities, interventions and experiences of different organisations in Switzerland, which are related to food security, nutrition and health.

In the final discussion three main topics were raised: Capacity building, transfer of research results and the stronger involvement of the private sector. Concerning possible future research fields, the following issues were emphasized: How to reduce waste of food? Change in consumption habits and to look at problems from the perspective of the consumer side instead of the production side.

Participants    
Barbara Becker, North-South Center, ETH Zurich
Padruot Fried, Swiss Forum of International Agricultural Research (SFIAR)
Markus Giger, Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) Uni Bern
Olivier Girardin, Fondation rurale interjurassienne
Doris Herrmann, Indo-Swiss Collaboration in Biotechnology (ISCB), EPFL
Pascal Larcher, Forum Biodiversität SCNAT
Felix Nicolier, Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (retired since 31.12. 2010)
Peter Odermatt, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Mike Robinson, Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture
Fritz Schneider, Swiss College of Agriculture, Zollikofen
Alexander Schulze, Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development
Martin Sonnevelt, Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, ETH Zurich
Pia Stieger, Forum Genforschung und Plattform Biologie der SCNAT
Beat Stoll, Institute of social and preventive medicine, University of Geneva
Paolo Suter, Nestlé Foundation
Barbara Troesch, Sight and Life, DSM
Michael B. Zimmermann, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich

Organizer: Jon-Andri  Lys, KFPE (jon-andri.lys(at)scnat.ch)

Presentations

Mike Robinson, Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture
Ouantity, Quality and Standards

Barbara Troesch, Sight and Life, DSM
Novel approaches for improving iron bioavailability

Peter Odermatt, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Health and Nutrition - Experiences from the Swiss TPH

Fritz Schneider, Swiss College of Agriculture, Zollikofen
Global demand for livestock products, drivers of change, consequences and potential research questions

For more information contact: Jon-Andri  Lys, KFPE (jon-andri.lys(at)scnat.ch)