Track: Optimization

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interrelated goals adopted by the United Nations (UN) for a better and sustainable future for all. One of the SDGs, SDG 2, relates to achieving food security, and improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture. Millets are a group of small seeded grasses rich in different nutrients, micronutrients and minerals. Apart from many types, finger millet, pearl millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, proso millet, kodo millet, and sorghum millet are the most important ones grown worldwide Millets have the ability to contribute to dietary diversity and promote sustainability. The objective of this research has been identify an optimal combination of intake food items to satisfy the daily nutritional requirements by including millets. This research uses a modified form of the classic Diet problem. Using this mathematical model, an optimal combination of food items to be included in daily meal is found out. Apart from satisfying the nutritional need optimally, this research also takes into consideration to include the dietary preference of people. After solving for multiple scenarios, it has been concluded that that daily RDA cannot be fulfilled without including millets in the meal. Millets can have transforming impact on the nutritional intake of people and they can be highly beneficial in combating dietary nutrient deficiency.