IARI Alumni Association and ICAR-IARI, New Delhi Organizes Distinguished Lecture

3 June 2026, New Delhi

The IARI Alumni Association (IAA), in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, organized a distinguished lecture on “Value Chain-led Agriculture & Food Science for Better Nutrition” in New Delhi today.

The distinguished lecture was delivered by Dr Vishweshwaraiah Prakash, Former Director, CFTRI, and Distinguished Scientist, CSIR-India. In his address, Dr Prakash stressed that nutrition, health, and wellness must be viewed through a holistic lens encompassing the entire food value chain. Referring to the concept of “Panchatatva” (the five fundamental elements), he emphasized the interconnectedness of agriculture, food processing, nutrition, health, and sustainability. He advocated for smart production and smart utilization of food resources to ensure better nutritional outcomes.

Quoting the well-known principle, “Food is thy medicine,” Dr. Prakash highlighted the profound relationship between food and human health, stating that food choices directly influence overall well-being. He also emphasized on the architectural and textural characteristics of food significantly influence consumer acceptance and nutritional outcomes. He explained the distinction between bioavailability and bioaccessibility of nutrients and stressed that scientific approaches to nutrition are essential for developing effective food-based solutions. Highlighting the role of women in nutrition and family health, he observed that empowering women can positively influence the nutritional well-being of multiple generations and strengthen household food security.

The programme was chaired by Dr R.S. Paroda, ChaiPresident, IARI Alumni Association, who emphasized that while India has made remarkable progress in food production, ensuring nutrition security remains a major challenge. He expressed concern over malnutrition among children, particularly those below five years of age, and stressed the need for focused interventions to improve nutritional outcomes. Referring to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the global commitment towards Zero Hunger, Dr Paroda highlighted the importance of linking agriculture with nutrition and health.

In his opening remarks, Dr Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-IARI and Chief Patron, IAA highlighted the importance of innovation-driven agriculture and noted the growing contribution of the Institute towards strengthening the agricultural startup ecosystem through Pusa Krishi, which has nurtured over 450 agri-startups. Dr Rao also drew attention to the significant issue of food wastage, noting that nearly 22-23 percent of food produced is lost across the value chain, underlining the need for efficient production, processing, storage, and distribution systems.

The interactive session was moderated by Dr. Anupama Singh, Dean and Joint Director (Education), ICAR-IARI, and Patron, IARI Alumni Association, and provided a platform for fruitful discussions on agriculture, food science, nutrition, and sustainable food systems. The programme witnessed active participation from scientists, faculty members, students, alumni, and stakeholders from across the agricultural sector.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from scientists, faculty members, students, alumni, and stakeholders from the agricultural and food science sectors, reflecting the growing interest in integrating agriculture, food science, and nutrition for sustainable development.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)