HarvestPlus works along an Impact Pathway for each biofortified crop, or product, that consists of three main stages: Discovery, Development, and Dissemination.

Steps of the Impact Pathway

Step 1: Identify Target Populations and Set Nutritional Breeding Targets
Cropping and food consumption patterns, the incidence of micronutrient malnutrition, and ex-ante benefit-cost analysis are applied to determine where biofortified varieties should be targeted. Breeding targets are set for specific micronutrients and crops.

Step 2: Validate Nutrition and Micronutrient Deficiency Data
Nutritionists measure the effects of processing, storage, and cooking methods for nutrient retention within biofortified crops and determine retention-friendly practices used by target populations. They also study the degree to which the nutrients bred into crops are being absorbed by the body (bioavailability) and the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies. These studies guide plant breeders in confirming or refining their breeding objectives.

Step 3: Screening and Applied Biotechnology
The global germplasm banks of the CGIAR institutes and other partners provide a reservoir of staple crops germplasm to be screened and drawn on by HarvestPlus. Plant breeders identify the genes that are important in the synthesis of vitamin A and translocation of minerals. They develop procedures to implement marker-assisted selection to ‘flag’ the desired traits for breeding higher levels of micronutrients. Upstream transgenic research is also conducted in the case of nutrient targets that are challenging to reach through conventional breeding.

Step 4: Crop Improvement
Crop improvement includes all breeding and product development activities to produce new micronutrient-rich crop varieties that perform well in farmers’ fields and meet farmers’ expectations while also providing better nutrition.

Step 5: Test Geneotype x Environment Interactions
How genotypes interact with different environments can greatly influence genotypic performance across different crop growing scenarios. HarvestPlus researchers evaluate crops in target countries to ensure high and stable expression of the micronutrient content in different environments where the crops may be grown. Scientists also look at farming practices that can improve crop nutrient content by enhancing the uptake of nutrients in the edible portion of the crop.

Step 6: Test Nutritional Efficacy
HarvestPlus nutrition teams develop appropriate indicators of micronutrient status and conduct controlled feeding trials to evaluate whether biofortified foods improve the nutritional status of target populations.

Step 7: Identify Factors Driving Farmer Adoption and Consumer Acceptance
Researchers study the factors that affect whether farmers and consumers will adopt and consume biofortified crops or products. Crop varietal maps are also developed for this purpose and to provide baseline data for assessing impact at a later stage. This applies particularly to vitamin A-rich foods that tend to be orange in color and thus unfamiliar to consumers.

Step 8: Release Biofortified Crops in Target Countries
Varieties are identified for selection and submission to registration trials in countries of first release. Following this, procedures are followed to ensure their successful formal release. Proof that the variety is new, distinguishable, and value adding must be assembled in order to register new crop varieties. HarvestPlus works with NARES to gather the relevant information for registration and formal release of biofortified crops in target regions.

Step 9: Facilitate Dissemination, Promotion, and Consumer Acceptance of Crops
Delivery managers ensure that seed production, dissemination, and training and extension systems are in place in order to promote these new crops. Advocates are identified who can pave the way for crops to be accepted by consumers and adopted by farmers. Branding and other marketing strategies are created to increase demand for biofortified crops and foods by consumers.

Step 10: Measure Impact and Changes in Nutritional Status of Target Population
Baseline and follow-up surveys are conducted to measure the number of farming households that have adopted biofortified crops and improvements in nutritional status. This will help determine the ultimate impact of biofortified crops on public health.