Nutritious Agri Future (Pvt) Ltd (NAF), a network entity of HarvestPlus Solutions, has announced strategic partnerships with key academic institutions, including the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore. Two separate tripartite agreements were signed between HarvestPlus, NAF, and these academic institutions to advance biofortification research, product development, technology transfer, capacity building, and advocacy efforts. The ultimate goal is to increase the production, availability, and consumption of nutrient-enriched crops and foods to combat malnutrition in Pakistan.

This collaboration focuses on advancing the research and development of biofortified crops in Pakistan. It also facilitates knowledge exchange through training opportunities aimed at building the capacity of researchers, value chain actors, students, and other stakeholders in biofortification. The partnerships seek to accelerate private sector involvement in biofortified commodities, including food businesses sourcing grain from farmers growing biofortified crops. This marks a significant milestone in HarvestPlus’ commitment to embedding nutrient-rich crops into food systems sustainably, with a comprehensive approach spanning from crop research and development to delivering nutritious foods to consumers.

Arun Baral, Chief Executive Officer at HarvestPlus, stated, “Through these partnerships, we will strengthen our existing collaboration by exchanging experience and scientific knowledge with our academic partners to advance biofortified crops and food in Pakistan. HarvestPlus will provide technical oversight to research and development activities while sharing global experiences, best practices, and our learnings to deliver nutritious food to those who need it the most.”

The university partners will conduct research studies and trials to develop and optimize food processing technologies that efficiently incorporate biofortified crops into food systems, ensuring adequate nutrient retention and palatability. They will also organize seminars, conferences, product development competitions, and community engagement events to raise awareness about malnutrition and the importance of consuming biofortified crops for improved nutritional outcomes, especially for women, adolescent girls, and children. Furthermore, the universities will support advocacy efforts to prioritize biofortification in the federal and provincial governments’ nutrition agendas. They will also engage students in raising awareness among wheat value chain actors and farmers to expand the cultivation of biofortified crops.

NAF will provide implementation and monitoring support for joint research activities, raise awareness, conduct advocacy, and engage in product development and commercialization activities related to biofortified crops and foods. NAF will also share communication materials, recipe books, and food labeling guidelines to increase access to biofortified crops and foods in the market.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognizes biofortification as an easy, cost-effective, and sustainable strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies, commonly referred to as “hidden hunger.” In Pakistan, over 22 percent of women of reproductive age are zinc deficient, and around 18.6 percent of children under five have inadequate zinc intake, leading to stunting, impaired brain development, and poor immune functions. HarvestPlus and its public and private sector partners have made significant progress in expanding the cultivation of biofortified zinc wheat in Pakistan. During the 2023-24 cropping season, over 42 percent of the wheat cropping area was cultivated with zinc-enriched wheat varieties in the country.