Tag Archive for: IGNITE

Millers for Nutrition Initiative Launched to Tackle Malnutrition in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – December 2, 2024 –Millers for Nutrition, a coalition of food fortification stakeholders, officially launches in Ethiopia, marking a significant stride in the nation’s effort to combat malnutrition. Hosted by TechnoServe, the launch event will highlight the essential contributions of millers in enhancing public health through food fortification thereby improving Ethiopians’ health. 

Read article from Grain Feed and Milling Magazine here

Ethiopia boosts fight against malnutrition with ‘Millers for Nutrition’

Ethiopia boosts fight against malnutrition with ‘Millers for Nutrition’

EVERY WHEAT FLOUR MILLER IN NIGERIA JOINS MILLERS FOR NUTRITION

Entire Industry Champions Improved Nutrition Through Food Fortification

LAGOS, NIGERIA, November 27  — Millers for Nutrition, a coalition of key food fortification stakeholders dedicated to helping millers fortify staple foods, is celebrating a major milestone as all 17 wheat flour milling sites across Nigeria have joined the organization. This 100% participation from the wheat flour milling sector represents an industry-wide commitment to improve the nutritional value of wheat flour through proper fortification practices.

“I express my sincere gratitude to the Nigeria wheat flour millers for their commitment to improving the nutritional value of their products,” said Ayodele Tella, Senior Program Manager. “By joining Millers for Nutrition, these millers have demonstrated a remarkable dedication to the health and well-being of Nigerian consumers. This initiative will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians.” 

Millers for Nutrition aims to make producing correctly fortified, nutritious food easier and more rewarding for millers.The coalition’s approach connects millers to industry experts, suppliers, social enterprises, and other solution providers to access best in class technical assistance and specialized training on industry best practices. The support from partners not only improves the nutritional value of staple foods but also increases operational efficiencies and competitiveness of the businesses. Millers are also publicly celebrated and recognized as food fortification champions at national events.

“I joined the Millers for Nutrition coalition because of their strategic collaboration with regulatory bodies in ensuring fortification compliance. In quality control, there is no room for compromise, you simply have to get it right,” said Gbelee Oluwasanmi Stanley, Quality Control Manager at Nigeria Eagles Flour Mills. “The benefits of this initiative extend far beyond compliance. The technical support provided enables us to consistently deliver products that meet the highest nutritional standards. I strongly encourage millers from other sectors to join this movement. When we prioritize nutrition through proper fortification, we are not just meeting standards, we are delivering the quality products our consumers deserve.”

Millers for Nutrition is supported by Strategic Fortification Partners: BASF, dsm-firmenich, Mühlenchemie, SternVitamin, BioAnalyt; Regional Strategic Fortification Partners: Hexagon Nutrition, Piramal, Sanku; and a growing group of local technical partners that share a common vision of improving food processing practices and fortification excellence that ultimately benefits the society while enhancing business sustainability. The coalition is powered by TechnoServe with funding support from the Gates Foundation. Millers, food fortification stakeholders, and others interested in joining the initiative can learn more at millersfornutrition.com.

For more information, contact:

Ayodele Tella
Senior Program Manager, TechnoServe
atella@tns.org

Juliana Jacob
Communications Specialist, TechnoServe
jjacob@tns.org

Millers for Nutrition Participates in Market Linkages Forum: Enabling Last Mile Distribution

Visa Foundation’s implementing Inclusive Growth Strategies, along with Technoserve and Millers for Nutrition recently organized the inaugural Market Linkages Forum. This event brought together stakeholders from across Kenya’s food system to address a critical challenge of providing nutritious foods to every Kenyan, regardless of location or income. 

The forum focused on the impact of technology in revolutionizing last-mile distribution. Speakers from various sectors highlighted how digital tools enable businesses to connect with consumers more efficiently.

“Our mission is to make fortified, nutritious food accessible to everyone, not just a privileged few,” stated Kris Ansin, TechnoServe’s Country Director. “We are working collaboratively to create a more inclusive, efficient, and equitable food distribution network.”

This ambitious goal requires a concerted effort from various stakeholders. Joyce Njogu, Head of Consulting and Business Development at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, emphasized the importance of cooperation: “By fostering collaboration across the entire value chain, we can effectively tackle critical challenges such as logistics, storage, and quality control. “Together, we can enhance efficiency and ensure products reach consumers in time and at a competitive price.”

Technology also plays a critical role in expanding access to markets.  “Technology platforms are becoming game-changers, giving Small and Medium-Sized  Enterprises easier entry into markets and helping them build their brands, ensuring they remain competitive,” said Elizabeth Cushny, Regional Program Quality Manager for TechnoServe. 

The event was sponsored by the Visa Foundation and Gates Foundation, with support from  Millers for Nutrition.The increased focus on quality has also boosted employee morale and fostered a positive work environment leading to enhanced productivity. “The Technical Assistance provided through Millers for Nutrition has not only improved our operational efficiency but also significantly enhanced the work experience for our employees, said Kelvin Chepkener “The combination of improved safety, clearer processes, and a shared goal has created a more positive, engaged, and productive workforce.”

Buffalo Millers’ Journey to Enhanced Production and Quality

Buffalo Millers, a maize flour milling company in Kenya, has experienced remarkable growth, increasing its milling capacity from 20 metric tons of maize per day to 100 metric tons, and is now operating at a capacity of 220 metric tons. Over the years, the company has undergone significant transformation. With the support of Millers for Nutrition, Buffalo Millers has effectively managed its growth, improving product quality, expanding its reach, and ensuring a positive customer experience. The company has made notable strides in operations, including advancements in quality control, fortification practices, and food safety management.

This success can be attributed to several key factors, including a strong commitment from top management to quality and continuous improvement, streamlined processes, and a focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience. For instance, the facility has significantly improved operational efficiency, reducing grain truck unloading times from over two hours to just 30 minutes, enhancing traceability of the final product, and optimizing production capacity.

“Our ability to produce more while maintaining high quality has unlocked new market opportunities and strengthened our customer relationships,” said Ruth Butende, Quality Control Personnel at Buffalo Millers. “Since receiving technical assistance, we’ve made substantial improvements to our processes, ensuring that tasks are executed accurately and that every staff member understands their role. We now use detailed checklists for each procedure, streamlining workflows and ensuring the quality of our final products.”

As part of their improvements, Buffalo Millers has revamped its Standard Operating Procedures to prioritize safety, achieving the prestigious Diamond Mark. This achievement has positioned the company to pursue ISO 22000 certification, an international standard for Food Safety Management Systems awarded to mills that consistently provide safe products and services.

The enhanced focus on quality has also boosted employee morale, fostering a positive work environment and increasing productivity, which in turn leads to a better customer experience. “The technical assistance provided by Millers for Nutrition has not only enhanced our operational efficiency but also significantly improved our employees’ work experience,” said Kelvin Chepkener. “The combination of improved safety, clearer processes, and a shared vision has created a more positive, engaged, and productive workforce.”

Welcome Golden Africa Limited!

Golden Africa Limited, a prominent player in Kenya’s edible oil and fats industry, recently joined Millers for Nutrition. The company is known for their vegetable oils and cooking fats under the Pike and Avena brands.The company is working towards FSSC 22000 certification, a globally recognized food safety management system. Achieving this certification, would demonstrate Golden Africa Limited’s  commitment to implementing and maintaining the highest standards of food safety.

By fortifying their range of edible oils and fats, Golden Africa Limited is set to play a pivotal role in improving public health outcomes by ensuring the Kenyans using their products are eating adequately fortified cooking oil.

Technical Assistance Success: Moshono Millers, Tanzania

Moshono Millers, a leading maize flour miller in Tanzania, sought help solving operational challenges. By partnering with Millers for Nutrition, the facility not only resolved critical production issues but also enhanced its market footprint and community role.


Through targeted technical support, Moshono Millers was able to replace the malfunctioning dosifier and work with SANKU to install a new dosifier with advanced vibration technology. The upgrade boosted production from two to 10 tonnes per day.

“Our operational turnaround and efficiency has significantly driven business growth, expanding our market share from 50% to over 70% of our output”, said Mary Mongela, Quality Control Manager. “With this enhanced production, we’ve secured high-value clients like the TBS and the Tanzanian military, tripling their monthly orders from between 50 – 100 to 200 bags. This underscores the crucial role of targeted technical investments in boosting our market competitiveness.”

Beyond business metrics, Moshono Millers has been involved with behavior change communication and advocacy at the community level educating community members on the value of consistently consuming fortified flour. This dual focus on business growth and social responsibility illustrates the broader impact of strategic operational improvements.

“I never thought that I would become a food fortification ambassador,” said Mongela. “When we are out for sales, community members often ask why fortification is important as there has been a lot of misinformation. As community members seek clarity, there’s a growing need for educational support. We look to Millers for Nutrition for training support to better equip our teams and address these vital questions.“

Moshono Millers’ journey underscores how strategic technical assistance can transform operational landscapes, drive substantial business growth and elevate community health standards. For industry leaders, this case study exemplifies the value of aligning business objectives with community needs, promoting a holistic approach to sustainable growth and leadership in fortified nutrition advocacy. “I encourage all millers to become members of Millers for Nutrition. The support and technical assistance we received were pivotal in overcoming our challenges,” said Mongela.

Transforming the Rice Sector in Nigeria

Transforming the Rice Sector in Nigeria

Rice millers in Kano recently participated in an intensive four-day technical training program that aimed to reshape Nigeria’s rice fortification landscape. The comprehensive workshop put together by Millers for Nutrition in collaboration with Strategic Fortification Partner dsm-firmenich, local technical partner Bühler Group, and fortification ecosystem partners World Food Programme and Partners in Food Solutions, delivered advanced insights into rice mill operations and fortification techniques.

The training brought together Production and Quality Managers, equipping them with practical skills to enhance their milling operations and implement effective fortification processes. Through hands-on sessions and expert-led discussions, participants gained deep insights into modern milling practices and nutrition enhancement strategies.

Listen to participants share their experiences in this video

Millers for Nutrition adds India to effort

We are thrilled to announce  East Coast Fats and Oil Ltd,  in  Tanzania , recently joined Millers for Nutrition. This collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing quality assurance in vitamin A fortification. 

Recently, East Coast Fats and Oils and Millers for Nutrition sampled the vitamin A premix for quality testing – a significant step in addressing fortification challenges. The data obtained from these tests will play a crucial role in refining the fortification processes, ensuring that products comply with both national and international nutrition standards. Millers for Nutrition is dedicated to supporting millers in their effort  to improve  nutrition for  Tanzanians. We invite all millers to join. Learn more at www.millersfornutrition.com

Welcoming East Coast Fats and Oil Ltd to the Millers for Nutrition

We are thrilled to announce  East Coast Fats and Oil Ltd,  in  Tanzania , recently joined Millers for Nutrition. This collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing quality assurance in vitamin A fortification. 

Recently, East Coast Fats and Oils and Millers for Nutrition sampled the vitamin A premix for quality testing – a significant step in addressing fortification challenges. The data obtained from these tests will play a crucial role in refining the fortification processes, ensuring that products comply with both national and international nutrition standards. Millers for Nutrition is dedicated to supporting millers in their effort  to improve  nutrition for  Tanzanians. We invite all millers to join. Learn more at www.millersfornutrition.com