Hyderabad: Experts at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) panel advocated for the promotion of urban farming and a return to cultural food practices as key strategies to combat unhealthy eating habits and the risks posed by pesticide contamination. This was the focal point of a panel discussion on 'My Plate for the Day: Real Insights into the Dietary Guidelines by ICMR, NIN,' organised by ASPIRE-BioNEST in collaboration with Miracle Me and IKP Hyderabad. The event was a part of the Global Bio-India Roadshow held at the School of Life Sciences, UoH.
The panel discussion, moderated by Maithreye Murali, founder of Miracle Me, brought together experts like Dr Sairam Reddy, co-founder of Urban Kisan; Dr Ajay Tumaney, associate professor at UoH’s Department of Biochemistry; Dr Nida Fatima Hazari, a freelancing nutritional psychologist; Lakshmi Tejasvi, sports nutritionist and Dr Koteshwara Prasad, orthopaedic surgeon.
The experts unanimously agreed on the importance of urban farming as a sustainable way to reduce pesticide contamination in produce, with Dr Sairam Reddy advocating for its widespread adoption. Dr Ajay Tumaney stressed the need to introduce healthy eating habits from a young age, particularly in schools, while Dr Nida Fatima emphasised the role of government initiatives in promoting balanced diets, urging for more public awareness.
