With generous support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, HarvestPlus is pleased to announce the launch of its second phase of research (2009-2013) that will bring nutrient-rich staple crops from the laboratories of the CGIAR to the fields of farmer’s around the world. The Gates Foundation will contribute $45 million of a $75 million dollar effort to reduce micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries by breeding higher levels of essential micronutrients(vitamin A, zinc, and iron) into staple crops.

This five year grant to HarvestPlus will be used to test the nutritional efficacy of promising varieties developed in its first phase and scale up breeding and testing of rice, wheat, maize, cassava, beans, sweet potato and pearl millet. HarvestPlus will also begin disseminating sweet potato and beans in Africa, and pearl millet in India.