Agri-food systems transformation requires accelerated innovations to address multiple economic, environmental and health objectives. No innovation serves everyone’s interests. Political opposition to innovations is therefore inevitable.
Poor nutritional quality and micronutrient deficiency are major barriers to achieving goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (ensuring food security and nutrition for better health), especially in developing countries, including the least dev
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is the staple cereal and is the primary source of protein for millions of people in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Background
Zinc-biofortified potatoes have considerable potential to reduce zinc deficiency because of their low levels of phytate, an inhibitor of zinc absorption, and their high consumption, especially in the Andean region of Peru.
The CGIAR biofortification program, HarvestPlus, was founded with the aim of improving the quality of diets through micronutrient-dense varieties of staple food crops.
Background
Yellow fleshed potatoes biofortified with iron have been developed through conventional breeding but the bioavailability of the iron is unknown.
Micronutrient deficiencies such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and vitamin A, constitute a severe global public health phenomenon.
Zinc deficiency is a severe public health problem in Bangladesh.
Biofortification is the process of breeding for higher levels of minerals and vitamins in staple food crops, then scaling uptake by farmers and consumers to reduce mineral and vitamin deficiencies in lower- and middle-income countries.
The USAID-funded MENU Activity implemented by HarvestPlus Uganda set out to increase the production, marketing, and consumption of biofortified crops in Uganda as part of a broader effort to improve the nutritional status of 420,000 Ugandans, part
Introducing biofortified crops as new crops on the market required people to receive the right information as to why they should produce and consume these crops. Nutrition trainings were a platform to disseminate this much needed information.
Sound monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems are needed to inform effective biofortification program management and implementation.
Adequate supplies of healthy foods available in each country are a necessary but not sufficient condition for adequate intake by each individual.
According to the latest FAO report on the state of food security and nutrition in the world (1), more than 720 million people faced hunger, and around 3 billion people did not have access to a healthy diet.
Fortification of staple foods is among the most cost-effective public health interventions.
HarvestPlus, a division of the International Food Policy Research Institute, has developed a conventional plant breeding process that results in increased levels of minerals and vitamins in seeds and grain.
Biofortification (or nutrient enrichment) of staple crops has the potential to contribute to reducing micronutrient deficiencies by increasing micronutrient intakes.
Nutrient enriched crops (NECs) were developed through biofortification as a tool to reach the world's most vulnerable.