Scientist / Researcher
Joanna Kane-Potaka
Smart Food Founder / Former ICRISAT Leader
Global narrative builder for “good for you, good for the planet, good for the farmer” crops.
Millet Relevance: Built the Smart Food platform around millets, sorghum and pulses, helping shift public perception from “poor people’s food” to climate-smart, nutritious foods.
Key Contributions
- Founded and led Smart Food at ICRISAT from 2013 to 2022, after a long career in agricultural economics, communications and CGIAR leadership.
- Popularized the memorable Smart Food framing: nutritious for consumers, low-footprint for the planet and resilient for farmers.
- Supported consumer studies, culinary challenges, school-feeding research and communication campaigns across Asia and Africa.
- Helped create stronger demand-side language for millets during the run-up to the International Year of Millets 2023.