Dharini SivakumarProfessor Dharini Sivakumar, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa, obtained the prestigious South African Research Chair (SARChI) funding from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) / National Research Foundation (NRF) for "Phytocheical Food Network to Improve Nutritional Quality for Consumers". Her research programme focuses on establishing links by manipulating agronomic practices to improve phytonutrients; developing processes and methods or packaging to preserve phytonutrients; improving or developing fresh products or agro-processing rich in health-promoting compounds for "lunch boxes"; analysing nutrition and health relationships; gathering information on consumer behaviour and acceptance regarding nutritional quality; and formulating guidelines to improve phytochemical compounds via the farm-to-plate chain. These six steps closely link plant agronomics, food preservation and agro-processing to improve human health, livelihood and well-being. Diversification of crops using indigenous fruit and vegetable species has been identified as an important strategy for a healthy diet among the rural, peri-urban and urban regions of South Africa to alleviate the hidden hunger and to sustain food security. She has established a working programme with the rural African communities to promote cultivation and agro processing of traditional vegetables and fruits in Venda, South Africa which helped to develop entrepreneur skills, creation of employment, income generation and poverty alleviation. Read More Read Less