It all starts with a seed.
Plant breeding is the genetic improvement of a crop to develop new varieties with desirable characteristics, or “traits.” For biofortified crops, which have enriched nutrient traits, breeding requires a multidisciplinary approach involving experts in agricultural science, nutrition, public health, and consumer marketing.
Why? Biofortification is successful when developed varieties not only have the targeted nutritional content but also several other traits demanded by farmers—such as competitive yield, drought and heat tolerance, and pest and disease resistance—and by consumers (such as taste, texture, and cooking time). All of these factors are taken into consideration in the development phase.
HarvestPlus, with CGIAR and national crop breeding partners, takes a a demand-driven approach. Smallholder farmers are involved in testing and final selection of crop varieties which are then officially released by national governments for use.
Want to know more about the biofortified crop breeding process? View this page
Click on a crop for detailed information
Vitamin A Maize
Nutritional Benefit
Provides up to 50 percent of daily vitamin A needs for women of reproductive age and children when eaten regularly
Varieties Released to Date
Africa: 63 Varieties
Countries: Cameroon, DR Congo, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
LatAm/Caribbean: 1 Variety
Countries: Brazil
Vitamin A Orange Sweet Potato
Nutritional Benefit
Provides up to 100 percent of daily Vitamin A needs for women of reproductive age and children when eaten regularly
Varieties Released to Date
Africa: 95
Countries: Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Uganda, and Zambia.
LatAm/Caribbean: 15
Countries: Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, Nicaragua and Panama
Asia: 18
Countries: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, South Korea
Iron Bean
Nutritional Benefit
Provides up to 80 percent of daily iron needs for women of reproductive age and children when eaten regularly
Varieties Released to Date
Africa: 42 varieties
Countries: Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda
LatAm/Caribbean: 23 varieties
Countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
