To develop methods and tools to increase crop productivity, farm income

Tata Trusts and global food manufacturer Mars, Incorporated have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together to advance agriculture development, address malnutrition, and improve food safety in India, the entities said in a joint statement.

The Tata Trusts that will participate in the initiative are Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Sir Ratan Tata Trust, and Navajbhai Ratan Tata Trust (collectively known as Tata Trusts). The coalition of philanthropic trusts has been working to improve the quality of life of people in the country.

Being a food manufacturer, Mars said it would work with Tata Trusts to develop methods and tools to increase crop productivity, farm income, and sustainability of select agriculture commodities, and to collaborate on the availability of safe, affordable, and sustainable raw materials from India. The crops in focus include mint, peanuts, rice, and legumes. Mars Food, a segment of Mars, Incorporated, will also conduct joint research with Tata Trusts on nutritional guidelines that can help address anaemia and other forms of malnutrition, the statement said.

“Given Mars’ global leadership in nutritive foods and sustainable agriculture, Tata Trusts believes this collaboration would have lasting, meaningful benefits for Indian communities,” said Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts. “We are particularly inspired by Mars Foods’ commitment to addressing malnutrition in India — a challenge of growing concern in this country, particularly among children,” he said.

Mars and Tata Trusts said they would collaborate on reducing Aflatoxin contamination in India’s supply chain. Aflatoxin — a naturally occurring, poisonous chemical produced by certain moulds — is a critical food safety issue. Mars said it has expertise in addressing Aflatoxin contamination and can draw on its global food safety centre in China to conduct future research in this area.

The Mars Global Food Safety Centre is a research and training facility that will drive a global focus on addressing food safety challenges through partnership and collaboration. Ninety-five per cent of the work conducted at the centre is expected to be shared on a pre-competitive basis.

“Today’s MoU with Tata Trusts is an important step in Mars’ journey to improve nutrition, food safety, and sustainability in India,” said Fiona Dawson, president of Mars Food. “Tata Trusts’ strong commitment to improving the quality of life in India, and the depth and breadth of their expertise, makes them a natural partner for Mars,” he said. This year, three million children under the age of five will die worldwide as a result of malnutrition (GAIN Report, 2015). Malnutrition and under-nutrition are significant issues of concern in the country. Currently, one in every three malnourished children lives in India (UNICEF, 2015); 46 per cent of children below the age of three are too small for their age; and 47 per cent are underweight.

The effects of malnutrition include limited physical development and the capacity to learn, along with impeded motor, sensory, cognitive, social and emotional development.

According to experts, malnutrition in India is a systems’ problem. It is not only the food intake, but also the access to health services, hygiene practices, supply chain, water quality, and food safety which all contribute to the problem. Under the MOU, Mars and Tata Trusts intend to work together to explore how best to improve nutrition in India, especially among children. Over century-old Mars, Incorporated has brands like M&M’S, PEDIGREE, DOUBLEMINT, and UNCLE BEN’S. The company has more than $33 billion in sales from six diverse business segments.

The crops that

will be focused include mint, peanuts, rice,

and legumes