What is Biofortification?
Biofortification is a remarkable technique in the world of agriculture and biology. It involves enhancing the nutrient content of crops through conventional breeding, genetic engineering, or agronomic practices. In simpler terms, it means making the food we grow more nutritious, helping to fight malnutrition and improve our health.
Malnutrition is a significant global problem. Many people, especially in developing countries, suffer from nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin A, iron, and zinc. Biofortification provides an effective solution to this issue by increasing the nutrient content of staple crops. It ensures that even if people don't have access to a diverse diet, they can still get essential nutrients from their primary food sources.
Techniques of Biofortification
The major techniques or methods by which crops can be biofortified are mentioned below:
Agronomic practices: This involves the application of fertilizers to increase the quantity of micronutrients in plants grown in soil conditions that are poor in such micronutrients/minerals.
Conventional plant breeding: This involves traditional breeding methods by which sufficient genetic variations are produced for the desired trait in crops such as high content of any micronutrient. It involves crossing varieties over many generations to ultimately yield a plant with high nutrient content along with other favourable traits. This is the only method used in India for producing biofortified crops.
Genetic engineering/modification: This involves inserting DNA into the genome of an organism to introduce new or different characteristics such as being resistant to any disease.
Now, let's look at some exciting examples of biofortified crops:
Golden Rice: This rice is genetically engineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. Beta-carotene gives the rice grains a golden color, hence the name. It's a game-changer in addressing vitamin A deficiency, a critical issue in many parts of the world.
Iron-Biofortified Beans: Iron is essential for healthy blood and brain development. Scientists have developed iron-biofortified beans, which are not only more nutritious but also tasty. These beans provide a simple and affordable way to combat iron deficiency.
Zinc-Rich Wheat: Wheat is a staple food for many, but it lacks sufficient zinc. Biofortified wheat varieties have been developed to contain higher levels of zinc, promoting better overall health, especially for those who heavily rely on wheat-based diets.
Orange Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a rich source of vitamin A, but not everyone has access to them. Biofortified orange sweet potatoes are packed with this vital nutrient, making them a fantastic option to address vitamin A deficiency.
Benefits of Biofortification
The Green Revolution and related movements in India were focussed on eradicating hunger from the country. As a result of the Green Revolution, the country has increased the production of food grains and is largely self-sufficient. There are various schemes and measures undertaken by the government to ensure that the population gets enough food intake in terms of the calorific value.
However, the current focus is on increasing the nutrient content of the food intake. Despite having ‘enough to eat’, many people are not getting enough nutrients in their food intake. This causes the problem of ‘hidden hunger’.
Hidden hunger is the term used to describe the deficiency of micronutrients such as zinc and iron.
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