Based on your knowledge and experience (in agriculture, food systems, nutrition, or even just on time spent growing your own food), the questions for this consultation are:

  1. Are you aware of an untested innovation in South Asian agriculture that has the potential to have a major impact on nutrition and health in the region? YES
  2. Are you aware of a tested or untested innovation in Africa or other world region that could be introduced or adapted to the South Asian region and has the potential to improve nutrition outcomes in the South Asian context? YES
  3. Among these innovations, are there any interventions in agriculture that might also help to reduce the likely impact of multiple environmental changes on agricultural production in South Asia? YES

Algae is the fastest growing plant in the universe. It can be grown on non-arable land, recycling 85% of all water used and consumes CO2.  The US taxpayer has spent over $2.5 billion on algae research over the last 60 years.  Algae resesearch grant recipients at major universities have stated "all algae technology hurdles have been met.  It's all engineering and scale-up". 

The algae technology has been proven. Third world countries have already grown Spirulina for food. What can our non-profit algae education and trade association do to provide a solution to end malnutrition?

The question is: Does the FAO want to continue doing more research for the next 60 years (after algae research grant recipients stated no more is needed) and purchase more algae research reports or do they want to roll up their sleeves and 'fix' the malnutrition problem using algae for food, feeds and other co-products?