Hare Krishna Movement and ICAR-IIMR Forge Partnership for Nutrition

In a pivotal development for nutritional security and sustainable food systems, the Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation (HKMCF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ICAR – Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) in Hyderabad. This partnership seeks to enhance millet-based food initiatives through collaborative efforts in knowledge sharing, recipe development, training, and community awareness programs.

The signing ceremony took place at HKMCF’s facility in Kokapet, with notable figures including His Grace Sri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhuji, the President of HKMCF and Regional President of the Akshaya Patra Foundation for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The event also featured the presence of Dr. (Mrs.) C. Tara Satyavathi, Director of ICAR-IIMR, along with other officials from both organizations.

Through this collaboration, both institutions aim to leverage HKMCF’s substantial experience in large-scale food service and welfare programs alongside IIMR’s expertise in millet research and nutrition. The MoU’s objectives include the development of standardized millet-based recipes suitable for large-scale kitchens, sharing best practices in millet processing and nutrition, and conducting training sessions for kitchen staff and beneficiaries.

The HKMCF is currently engaged in various flagship public feeding initiatives, such as Indiramma canteens and Bhojanamrita in Telangana, and Anna canteens in Andhra Pradesh. Collectively, these initiatives provide approximately 250,000 meals each day to those in need.

His Grace Sri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhuji expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to associate with ICAR–IIMR in promoting millet-based nutrition. Millets are not only deeply rooted in India’s traditional food culture but are also vital for addressing present-day challenges of health, sustainability, and food security.” He emphasized that this collaboration would explore innovative ways to integrate millets into food programs for societal benefit.

Dr. (Mrs.) C. Tara Satyavathi highlighted the significance of this partnership, noting that it represents a timely step toward translating scientific research on millets into large-scale societal impact. She affirmed that ICAR-IIMR has been a leader in advancing millet-based technologies and nutrition research, and this collaboration offers an important platform to mainstream millets through public feeding and welfare initiatives.

The MoU also aims to connect millet-growing farmers directly with large dedicated kitchens like HKMCF, ensuring quality raw materials and providing farmers with enhanced income opportunities. This initiative is envisioned as a means to ensure that millets are included in the diets of individuals across the community.

Representatives from ICAR-IIMR underscored that the partnership aligns with the institute’s mission to promote millets through scientific research, awareness, and capacity building. They expressed confidence that this collaboration would significantly contribute to public nutrition initiatives and help in creating a sustainable food ecosystem.

As the partnership unfolds, the collective efforts of HKMCF and ICAR-IIMR are expected to address pressing challenges in nutrition and food security while fostering a deeper appreciation for millets as nutritious and climate-resilient food options.