Biofortification - helping to remove the malnutrition

Biofortification

• Biofortification is the method for developing crops with higher levels of nutrients like vitamins, minerals , proteins, fat , carbohydrates for improving the public health and reducing the frequency of malnutrition.

• It is a method to fulfill the need of micronutrients among the people as an alternative way.

Read more about the Single cell protein - An alternate source of protein

• This method is used in breeding programs to enhance the quantity of vitamins and minerals among the staple crops.

• This biofortified crop reduces the possibility of anaemia, and other health related problems.

• The objective of biofortification is to improve the quality and content of protein, oil, vitamin,mineral and micronutrient. 

Advantages of Biofortification

• Biofortification methods provide the advantage to all families, especially women and children who are at more risk of malnutrition of micronutrients.

• It makes nutrients rich in staple goods that are consumed daily by the families.

• This method is beneficial for those people who earn less and frequently suffer from malnutrition.

• It is now giving a positive aspect of the plant breeding program that is so cost effective.

• By Biofortification, nutritional rich crops are easily grown and consumed. Various countries adopted this method to produce a national rich quality crop by biofortification. For ex- A Variety of Bean has been developed by Rwanda.

Read more about the Production of Triticale

• This variety is rich in iron and zinc. Similarly  a variety of sweet potato has been developed by Uganda and Mozambique.This one is rich in Provitamin A. 

• In India, Indian  Agricultural research institute has developed  several vegetables like carrot and spinach that are rich in vitamin A,  Mustard and tomato rich in  vitamin C. A hybrid of Maize was developed that has double the amount  of amino acid.

• The advantages of biofortification are - It is suitable for low income households.

• After one time success in getting seed, the cost of seed is reasonable and Germplasm of seed may be shared globally.This method is sustainable.