Millers for Nutrition Coalition launched in Ethiopia to combat malnutrition

ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia has officially welcomed the Millers for Nutrition coalition, an initiative dedicated to advancing food fortification efforts in a bid to improve public health in the country.

Spearheaded by TechnoServe, this initiative emphasizes the role of local millers in addressing malnutrition by enhancing the nutritional quality of staple foods.

Millers for Nutrition operates in eight countries across Africa and Asia, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Tanzania.

With its recent expansion into Ethiopia, the coalition aims to support local millers in fortifying essential staples such as rice, edible oil, and wheat and maize flour with vital micronutrients. These efforts are expected to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and improve overall health outcomes significantly.

This multi-stakeholder coalition is supported by global strategic partners such as BASF, dsm-firmenich, Mühlenchemie, SternVitamin, and BioAnalyt, alongside regional collaborators like Hexagon Nutrition, Piramal, and Sanku.

With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Millers for Nutrition is powered by TechnoServe and aims to balance public health improvements with business sustainability.

Over the past two decades, Ethiopia has made notable progress in improving nutrition, driven by government initiatives and effective agricultural and health systems.

However, malnutrition remains a critical issue, with 39% of children under five experiencing stunted growth, 22% being underweight, and 11% classified as wasted, according to data from the Manufacturing Industry Development Institute’s Food and Beverage Industry Research and Development Center.

These figures underscore the urgency of ensuring access to nutrient-rich foods.

According to Eyakem Amsalu, the Ethiopia Program Manager for Millers for Nutrition, the coalition’s mission aligns with empowering millers through capacity-building, technical support, and access to innovative tools.

“The launch of Millers for Nutrition is a significant milestone in our battle against malnutrition in Ethiopia,” Amsalu said.

“It exemplifies our commitment to empowering local millers with the necessary tools and knowledge to enhance the nutritional quality of staple food through fortification,” he added.

Through collaboration and innovative solutions,  Amsalu noted the coalition aim to establish a sustainable environment where fortified foods become the norm, ensuring all Ethiopians have access to essential nutrients for a healthier future.

The initiative seeks to make fortified foods a standard offering in Ethiopian markets by fostering sustainable practices, ensuring the widespread availability of essential nutrients.

The launch event plans to provide a platform to address challenges in the local food fortification landscape, including the impact of imported products on domestic fortification efforts.

Stakeholders will also showcase the coalition’s digital portal, which provides millers with essential resources for maintaining high fortification standards and ensuring compliance.

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