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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: KENYA GRAINS SNACKS (TV/R)
HEADLINE: Kenyan Entrepreneur Makes Snacks from Indigenous Grains
TEASER: Dorah Momanyi is using the grains to make snacks and breakfast cereals to promote consumption of indigenous grains and foster environmental sustainability
PUBLISHED: 1/30/24, 11:18 am
BYLINE: Juma Majanga
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Nairobi, Kenya
VIDEOGRAPHER: Amos Wangwa
VIDEO EDITOR:
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Purnell Murdock
SCRIPT EDITORS: DLJ; CAW
VIDEO SOURCE: VOA Original
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO _x_
TRT: 3:40
VID APPROVED BY: sb
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO)) [[Indigenous African grains such as millet and sorghum are known to be nutritious but are not popular foods with many, especially the Gen Zs who view the grains as food for the poor. To change this narrative, a Kenyan entrepreneur is using the grains to make snacks and breakfast cereals to promote consumption of indigenous grains and foster environmental sustainability, as Juma Majanga reports from Nairobi.]]
((VIDEO-VOA: DORA MOMANYI MAKING SNACKS AT HER HOME FACTORY-various))
((NARRATOR))
At her home-based factory in Nairobi, Dorah Momanyi is making popcorn snacks using indigenous grains.
Momanyi says iPop Africa was birthed three years ago from her master’s degree research project on the role of indigenous African grains in promoting nutrition in Kenya’s semi-arid areas.
Today, Momanyi purchases grains such as yellow indigenous maize, millet, sorghum and brown rice from small holder farmers. She converts them into snacks to provide consumers with convenient and healthy snacks that are rich in nutrients and free from oil and gluten.
((Dorah Momanyi, iPop Africa Founder ((female, English)) ((23 secs))
“What iPop Africa is trying to do is to reclaim or bring back the glory of the traditional millets and sorghum. What we basically do is, we transform these indigenous grains, that are climate smart remember, because now we are talking about climate change everywhere, and we are also talking about our water tables going down. So, we really want people in semi-arid regions to benefit from what they have."
((VIDEO-VOA: iPOP SNACK MAKING PROCESSES-various))
((NARRATOR))
The grains are subjected to high pressure and a temperature machine that transforms them into pops.
To enhance the taste of the products, natural flavors and spices are then added through a process called food-to-food fortification.
The result is a range of snacks and breakfast cereals. The products are receiving good reviews.
Brandon Waiyaki, a student at the United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, is a consumer of the snacks.
((Brandon Waiyaki, University Student)) ((male, English)) ((12 secs))
“It is a nice snack. You see, people love maybe taking popcorns when they are going for movies. So, this can be like a nice alternative to popcorn ‘cause it’s healthy and it still has the same taste, so it’s okay.”
((VIDEO-VOA: B-ROLLS OF MALNOURISHED CHILDREN, ANTONINA MUTORO IN INTERVIEW-various))
((NARRATOR))
Kenya is one of the countries that still grapples with food security. More than a quarter of the children under the age of five, or two million children, have stunted growth, according to UNICEF.
Experts say the situation is similar across Africa. Antonina Mutoro is a research scientist at the African Population and Health Research Center in Nairobi.
((Antonina Mutoro, African Population and Health Research Center ((female, English)) ((25 secs))
“We are currently experiencing nutrition transition which means that there is a shift in diets, from traditional diets which are mainly rich in micronutrients and fiber, to diets which are mostly processed; high in fat, salt and sugar. So, as a consequence, you find that there is an increase in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension as well as obesity."
((VIDEO-VOA: B-ROLLS OF iPOP AFRICA FACTORY-various))
((NARRATOR))
To help address climate change, which is one of the factors affecting food systems in Africa, iPop Africa has come up with a “One snack, one tree initiative” where the company plants a tree for every product purchased.
Momanyi says her goal is to revolutionize the snack industry and foster environmental sustainability.
((Dorah Momanyi, iPop Africa Founder ((female, English)) ((21 secs))
“We are also looking at a population that is getting educated more and more, and we are seeing change in consumption patterns. So, in future, actually, from now going into
the future, we are seeing a larger population moving to consumption of healthy alternatives, healthy food products, and that is the niche market that we are trying to venture into.”
((VIDEO-VOA: B-ROLLS OF iPOP AFRICA PRODUCTS-various))
((NARRATOR))
Nutrition and food security remain major challenges on the African continent. Entrepreneurs like Momanyi hope to be at least part of the solution.
((Juma Majanga, VOA News, Nairobi))
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