Cereal food technologies - India and Africa trends and the need for collaborative and networking programmes

Abstract

India and Africa share many common food trends such as rapid urbanization and a growing demand for convenience and health-promoting foods.Notably in Africa, these food demands are currently being met by relatively simple value addition to grains through small and medium enterprises.However, achieving improved staple food security will require more complex technologies, higher technical skills and a better organized food pipeline. Thus, in Asia and Africa there is an acute need for collaborative and network programmes in grain science and technology. The recent creation of an ICC India Task Force to make India-International grain science collaboration and networking a reality is a critical step to achieving these goals.