Biofortified Seeds in the Amelioration of Hidden Hunger: Current Status and Challenges

Author: Acharya Balkrishna, Rashmi Mittal, Mohini, Deepika Srivastava, Anubha Arora and Vedpriya Arya

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Abstract

Hidden hunger attributed as triple burden of malnutrition is a pessimistic situation currently affecting life globally. Expansion of high yielding but micronutrient deficient cultivars have further exacerbated the issue by exerting additional burden on poor people, children and pregnant women especially. Agricultural policies and its technological interventions possessed enormous potential in targeting hidden hunger through bio-fortification Bio-fortification enhance the nutrient uptake from soil, eradicates anti-nutritional factors thereby enriches the crop with micronutrients. Bio-fortified agri-foods are currently available worldwide but several challenges have restricted its approachability to mass population. The present review article is an attempt to propose mechanistic approach to combat hidden hunger with the help of ‘Central Repository of Bio-fortified seeds’ and to represent the approach standing panorama on grounds of plant breeding, genetic engineering etc. to provide

Keywords

Bio-fortification, Hidden hunger, Micronutrients, Plant breeding

Conclusion

Prevailing importance of micronutrients in human diet is a matter of utmost concern due to increase ratio of undernourished population. Genetic engineering and plant breeding are two such fundamental approaches which can reshape the micronutrient concentration in our diet. Based upon these methodologies ‘Central Repository of Bio-fortified seeds’ can produce bio-fortified seeds and with the help of WHO and agricultural ministry of respective country it can be provided to farmers for the betterment of agricultural products. Although phenotypic traits of bio-fortified seeds will remain same because of which it may be hard to convince research institutes and farmers regarding enriched micronutrient status in the beginning but once initiated it exhibits vast potential to completely eradicate hidden hunger worldwide. Research community, policy makers and WHO needs to focus on this intervention to overcome growing issue of hidden hunger.

References

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How to cite this article

Balkrishna, A., Mittal, R., Mohini, Srivastava, D., Arora, A. and Arya, V. (2021). Biofortified Seeds in the Amelioration of Hidden Hunger: Current Status and Challenges. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 13(3): 321-326.