Food science · Biodiversity

From biodiversity to better nutrition

Agriome explores underutilised crops and modern science to develop functional foods — starting with a lima bean product aimed at childhood nutrition.

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6,000+ plant species cultivated by humans historically
FAO, 2025
<200 species that feed 80% of the world today
FAO, 2025
~150M children under 5 affected by stunting
Joint Malnutrition Estimates, 2024
Phaseolus lunatus Lima bean · West Sumatra Underutilised variety

The problem

A narrow diet in a world of abundant variety

Global food systems rely on a handful of crops (wheat, rice, maize, soya), while thousands of nutrient‑rich local varieties go unused, unstudied, and slowly forgotten.

At the same time, childhood stunting remains a complex challenge that calls for practical, accessible solutions rooted in local food environments.

“Traditional knowledge and modern analysis can work together — turning overlooked crops into food products that genuinely improve nutrition.”

We start from biodiversity. Not as an abstract idea, but as a practical resource: locally available ingredients with untapped nutritional potential.

How we work

Our approach

01

Identify

We look at local crop varieties with promising nutritional traits, drawing on field knowledge, community expertise, and available literature.

02

Analyse

We apply molecular and compositional techniques to understand what these crops contain — from macronutrients to micronutrients and bioactive compounds.

03

Develop

We use those insights to prototype food products that are nutritious, acceptable to consumers, and suited to local production and distribution realities.

First project

Lima bean & patin fish for childhood nutrition

Childhood stunting is a complex, multi‑causal challenge. We are developing a food product based on locally available lima bean and patin fish — combining nutritional analysis with food science to produce something both effective and practical for families.

Early‑stage development
Focus on protein quality and bioavailability
Targeting acceptability in local contexts
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Lima bean
Phaseolus lunatus
Local variety · West Sumatra region
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Patin fish
Pangasius sp.
Freshwater · Sumatera

Let's connect

We are just getting started

If you are interested in our work, have ideas to share, or want to explore collaboration — we would love to hear from you.

We reply within a few days.

“We welcome questions, feedback, and ideas from researchers, producers, and anyone who cares about food and nutrition.”

Based in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia.
Working across Sumatera and beyond.