A Landmark Year for Biofortification
2016 has been a landmark year for HarvestPlus, with prestigious accolades and validations consolidating the global momentum of biofortification.
As the year draws to a close, we are proud to have opened the door to better nutrition for 20 million households—100 million people—around the world. From Bangladesh to Zimbabwe, these households have embraced biofortified nutritious crops and are reaping the benefits.
Our rigorous scientific research produced more evidence of those benefits: vitamin A “orange” maize improves night vision among children; biofortified beans reduce iron deficiency and improve physical functions in women. These findings added to a growing body of proof that biofortified crops are making a difference.
The world took note and applauded. In honoring our founder and his co-laureates with its highest annual accolade, the World Food Prize paid tribute to the impact and potential of biofortification. TIME followed suit; the respected magazine ranked biofortified vitamin A-rich orange sweet potato among the 25 best inventions of 2015.
Such recognition is driving the global acceptance and mainstreaming of biofortification. More than 50 countries around the world have released or are testing these nutritious crops. With our new CEO and a growing, diverse array of partners, we are confidently forging ahead on a mission to reach a billion people globally with biofortified foods by 2030.