Jide Adeniyi-Jones/USAIDFarmers work on USAID’s Model Rice Farm in northern Nigeria as part of an initiative to increase rice production in the West African country. The USAID-DSM partnership, announced in January 2011, leverages the organizations' respective competencies, expertise, products and services to meet the micronutrient needs of populations in the developing world.
"We are witnessing an unparalleled opportunity right now for innovative, large-scale private sector partnerships to achieve significant impact on global hunger and nutrition," USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah said. "USAID is proud to build this new partnership with DSM, the world's largest manufacturer of micronutrients and vitamins. Together we can improve childhood nutrition in countries
The initial focus of the collaboration is on rice fortification; achievement of the nutrition objectives as part of Feed the Future and the U.S. Global Health Initiative; and support of the 1,000 Days efforts to help countries jump start the Scaling Up Nutrition Road Map with the support of other development partners.
In addition, DSM provides input to USAID's Office of Food for Peace in order to help improve nutritional value, quality, shelf life, and methods for testing food aid commodities.
