Expressing serious concern over the alarming rate of malnutrition among the children in the rural areas, former Union Secretary of Department of Bio Technology (DBT) Padma Bhushan Dr. Manju Sharma, has called for an integrated and holistic approach for developing proper technologies to ensure the food and nutritional security of the people in India.

Speaking after inaugurating the 21-day Winter School, being launched by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) to train young researchers on latest trends in developing natural products from the sea against various diseases, here on Tuesday, she said ‘’malnutrition is still a grave issue in India. Every year 2.1 million children die of malnutrition in the country”, she said citing a data of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Urging the scientists and professionals to take challenging tasks for combating malnutrition, she stressed the need for launching different types of missions, along with international collaborations and interaction with social scientists as well, to address the food and nutritional issues in the country.

Regular training and awareness camps should be organised, particularly involving women in rural areas, Dr. Sharma said adding that ‘’a people-centred approach focusing on farmers, technological empowerment and rural community should be developed”. The women should be given special focus in agricultural innovations, she added.

Remembering her eventful tenure with the Government of India as the Secretary of DBT, she said introduction of the Genetically Modified (GT) Crops was a great move by the government after the green revolution. “After the green revolution, the country now has moved to ‘gene revolution,’’ she said, adding that introduction of BT cotton made waves in Indian economy’’.

Calling for joint projects with private industries to transform the lives of people in rural areas, the former Secretary said that ‘’development of natural products such as nutraceuticals a significant step towards attaining a better health index. Studies are also required to ensure the quality control and reduce toxicity, side-effects and allergies.”

New food processing technologies should be developed to prevent post-harvest losses and to help rural population, she further stated. Referring to Kerala, Dr. Manju Sharma said that there should be a ‘Kerala Model’ in introducing technology-driven projects to upgrade the living standards of the rural community. She also called for simplifying the biotech interventions for better public understanding of agri-biotech.

CMFRI Director Dr A Gopalakrishnan presided over the inaugural function of the Winter School. Dr. P Vijayagopal, Head, Marine Biodiversity Division of the CMFRI and Dr Kajo Chakraborty, Senior Scientist, CMFRI also spoke on the occasion.