Why do we need to rethink the narrative on diverse proteins?
From alternative to diverse proteins

In a world grappling with the dual challenges of climate change and rapid population growth, the discourse around protein consumption is more critical than ever, especially for low and middle-income countries (LMICs). While high-income countries are increasingly shifting towards plant-based diets for health and environmental reasons, LMICs are experiencing a rising demand for animal proteins as their incomes rise. This paradox highlights the urgent need for an adapted narrative on diverse proteins. Our recent webinar aims to unravel this complexity and provide a common understanding to build a framework for action.

This is where diverse proteins come in. Protein sources must be affordable, culturally acceptable, and nutritionally adequate to improve diets and address malnutrition in LMICs. Certain high-income trends such as the planetary diet, however, are sadly unaffordable for the global south. By diversifying protein sources, we can encourage local options to complete micronutrient gaps.

Unlike the term alternative, which suggests a deviation maybe from the norm or a substitution, diverse implies a broad spectrum of options. We're not advocating for an either or, between plant or an animal protein, rather, we want to emphasize multiplicity and variety. We emphasize the need to protect nutrition through a diverse diet.” – Kesso Gabrielle van Zutphen-Küffer, Sight and Life Director of Science

What do we have to gain?

It is projected that the global food system will need to meet the dietary needs of nearly 10 billion people by 2050. Knowing the current stress our food system is putting on the planet and our health, we need to make considerable changes. Worldwide, 3.1 billion people cannot afford a diverse, nutritious diet and one third of greenhouse gas emissions stem from food, agriculture and land use. Meanwhile, nearly 800 million people around the world still face hunger and increasingly more suffer from overweight and obesity. We need solutions that address the increased burden on our health and nature.

Increasing protein diversification leads to win-wins on multiple levels. People can benefit from healthy and nutritious plant-based foods and diversify their menus and taste buds, while also appreciating the essential nutrients provided by animal-sourced foods. Incorporating alternative protein options, such as plants, beans, insects, and others, promotes healthier choices and broadens types of nutrients and food options. On the nature side, climate can reap the benefits of a lower carbon footprint and net-zero future, as plant-based food sources generally require fewer resources and are associated with lower emissions (1).

[caption id="attachment_48901" align="alignnone" width="819"] Amaranth seeds and grains. Photo: Timeprotv/Getty Images[/caption]

How do we do it?

So how do we move forward? There are many examples and innovative solutions. We highlight four here (showcased in the Diverse Proteins Webinar hosted by Sight and Life and the SDG2 Advocacy Hub) to inspire us:
The Beans is How campaign aims to double global bean consumption by 2028 by bringing together diverse stakeholders. Beans are a nutrition powerhouse with deep cultural significance in many societies, and they play a crucial role in sustainable agricultural practices. The Theory of Change focuses on creating demand for beans by transitioning them from a should to a want through innovative communications and champion building. The inclusive campaign couples this with creating an enabling environment through market-specific stakeholder convening, policy, and advocacy.

Beans is how puts forward beans as a simple, affordable solution to our global financial, health, and climate challenges

- Kristin Gutenkunst, Beans is How Director

One Acre Fund spearheads a groundbreaking project in Rwanda focused on plant-based meat alternatives. One Acre Fund, a leading social enterprise, empowers millions of funders in LMICs by providing tools and finances to enhance their livelihoods. This innovative project capitalizes on the Fund's extensive network of farmers, micro retailers, and consumers, offering them inputs, techniques, and credit to facilitate the transition to protein alternatives and the adoption of nature-positive crops.

This opportunity offers an alternative to meat that is delicious, affordable, and shelf stable to local households

- Jean-Paul Gisa, Program Director at One Acre Fund

InsectiPro, a pioneering start-up in Kenya, is harnessing the potential of three insects to revolutionize the food and feed value chains. Through the exceptional capabilities of the Black soldier fly, organic waste is transformed into high-value protein and fertilizer, fostering a circular food system. Notably, InsectiPro has observed a remarkable increase in egg production in their chickens by incorporating Black soldier flies into their diet. Furthermore, the company has reduced Nairobi's food waste from 200,000 metric tons to 6,000. In line with their commitment to enhancing human nutrition, InsectiPro is dedicated to making crickets, a sustainable protein source, more accessible, appealing, and affordable for the people of Kenya.

The cool thing with the bug is that it's around 40 percent protein, very high in fat, and high in the three limiting amino acids, making it a good replacement for fish meal and soy in animal feed.  - Mrs. Talash Hujibers, CEO, InsectiPro

Essential, a pioneering bioscience start-up that utilizes fermentation to produce affordable and climate-resilient proteins and is leading the charge in bioscience innovation. They are at the forefront of biomanufacturing proteins in Sub-Saharan Africa, effectively transforming agricultural byproducts into high-quality, low-cost proteins. The advantages of fermentation are undeniable: it provides a climate-resilient food source, actively combats climate change, and offers cost-competitive, high protein quality scores (PDCAAS > 0.95) comparable to soy.

The unique magic of fermentation is that you can run these processes 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, irrespective of what's going on in the climate.  - Dr. Grant Gordon, CEO & Co-Founder, Essential

[caption id="attachment_48901" align="alignnone" width="819"] Thai snack fried crickets. Photo: sitriel/Getty Images[/caption]

Call to Action

As part of an ongoing conversation, we hope to spark interest and a growing movement of doers to push momentum towards increasing the production, demand, and consumption of diverse protein sources. We all have a part to play and a seat at the table.

⦁ We must embrace a diversity of needs and solutions to address the growing global challenges and encourage increased consumption of a variety of protein sources.

⦁ All actors and stakeholders must play a role in breaking down silos and creating an inclusive approach to food solutions, ensuring that diverse dietary choices meet sustainable and regenerative needs for the future.

⦁ We must work through different channels, with wide audiences, and tailor options to a variety of populations, considering varied local, regional and global contexts.

We have a diversity of needs and a diversity of solutions. Let’s embrace the diversity of sources and all play a part, advocating for building momentum and progress together

- Andy Jarvis, Director of Future Food, Bezos Earth Fund

 

See further reading and resources below, rewatch the webinar and continue the conversation with us.

Sight and Life | SDG2 Advocacy Hub

Footnote

⦁ https://gfi.org/resource/environmental-impact-of-meat-vs-plant-based-meat/

Resources
Nourishing 9 Billion People by 2050: The Role of Diverse Proteins in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/current-developments-in-nutrition/vol/8/suppl/S1

Chefs, Food Industry, Retailors and others working in food can learn more about opportunities to engage through the Chefs’ Manifesto and Climate Conscious Catering.
⦁ https://sdg2advocacyhub.org/climate-conscious-catering/
⦁ https://sdg2advocacyhub.org/chefs-manifesto/

Publications that dive into the bioavailability and digestibility of protein:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alan-Javier-Hernandez-Alvarez-2