Biofortification: Helping Meet Nutrition Needs Worldwide
This article was originally published through ENN magazine
Biofortification is the process of increasing the density of vitamins and minerals in a crop through plant breeding and agronomic practices, so that when eaten regularly the crops will generate measurable improvement in vitamin and mineral nutritional status. HarvestPlus is a global partnership programme that leads the global development and promotion of biofortified crops, involving crop development, work with policy-makers and engagement with communities. Biofortified crops can provide 30% to 80% of a woman’s or child’s daily needs of vitamin A, zinc and iron (key focus nutrients). Evidence is emerging on nutrition and health impact. Developments in India are promising for biofortification at scale. Biofortification now reaches more than 15 million people in Africa and Asia; new crop varieties are available/pending release in 55 countries.