Building partnerships with the public and private sector is a sustainable approach to advancing biofortification and delivering nutritious food to those who need it the most. G.S. Agro (Pvt.) Ltd., a local seed company, partnered with HarvestPlus, to deliver biofortified zinc-enriched wheat seeds to farmers in Gaya, India. Known for its extensive seed production network, G.S. Agro leverages HarvestPlus’ biofortification expertise and its own distribution network of over 5,000 dealers to expand the availability of nutrient-enriched crops across India. Since 2020, HarvestPlus and G.S. Agro have collaborated under the Bihar-Odisha Nutrition Initiative (BONI) to launch zinc enriched biofortified wheat seeds, branded as “Prithvi-31” and “Prithvi-25.” This branding effort, guided by HarvestPlus, has helped farmers distinguish biofortified varieties from conventional options, reinforcing their unique nutritional benefits in the fight against micronutrient deficiencies.

As a technical partner, HarvestPlus has been instrumental in supporting seed companies in branding, marketing, and optimizing distribution channels, ensuring that biofortified seeds reach even the most remote communities in Bihar and beyond. Together with G.S Agro, over 800 MT of biofortified zinc-enriched wheat seed was distributed, covering approximately 8,000 hectares and offering farmers a sustainable way to improve both crop yield and nutritional content.

Under the BONI program, HarvestPlus has also promoted farmer education, conducting field days, Nutrition Month (Poshan Month) events, and Women’s Day celebrations that underscore the role of biofortified crops in enhancing family health and combating malnutrition. These initiatives have increased farmer awareness about biofortified crops, helping to drive demand for zinc-enriched wheat seed and establish sustainable agricultural practices throughout the region.

The results are remarkable: in Bihar alone, over 200,000 farming households now cultivate zinc-enriched wheat, producing around 300,000 metric tons of nutrient-enriched grain annually. Through partnerships with over 95 public and private stakeholders, HarvestPlus has facilitated the distribution of nearly 12,000 MT of biofortified seed across Bihar and Odisha, directly supporting 200,000 farmers in producing healthier, zinc-enriched wheat over the past five years.

Such partnerships exemplify a scalable model for improving both nutrition and agricultural productivity, aligning with India’s goal of “Ku-Poshan Mukta Bharat” (Malnutrition-Free India). These partnerships are pivotal to our work and not only facilitate improving food security and public health but also strengthens the agricultural sector’s resilience across Bihar and beyond.