Quinoa, Wheat & Rice For Better Health!
My search for healthy and affordable food for millions suffering from malnutrition and metabolic diseases like diabetes started long ago. In 1982, as Junior Research Fellow at the Center for Cellular & Molecular BiologyCenter, Hyderabad, India, I published an article on “Rich Food from Sea” in The Hindu newspaper.
The issue of malnutrition has occupied my mind subconsciously since the 1980s. It kept growing during interaction with WHO and the related vaccine meetings I attended in Europe, North America, South America, and South Africa. In addition to many visits to India and Indian villages for Shantha Biotech and Pratham work, respectively.
My subconscious thoughts came to the fore when the physicians at home (wife and daughter) encouraged me to eat Quinoa.
I was so impressed by the nutrional benefits of quinoa that, with the collaboration of students and professional colleagues, I published a book entitled Quinoa Health & Nutrition Benefits as one of the solutions for better nutrition.
In 2016, we found that quinoa in India was not affordable as it cost Rs. 1600 ($23.00 USD) per kilogram. To make quinoa more affordable we started farming Quinoa at Araku valley near Visakhapatnam, India and were able to reduce the cost of quinoa by about 50%. Currently, we offer quinoa at Rs.199 ($2.68 USD), 88% less than the price in 2016!
This is what my team and I have done so far.
As we continue to focus on malnutrition, we are looking forward to introducing High Protein & Low Glycemic Index Rice and High Fiber Wheat for better health for all ages.
