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Ensuring Nutritional Security in India through Wheat Biofortification: A Review
Umesh Kamble1, Chandra Nath Mishra1, Velu Govindan2
1ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal 132001, India.
Genes
|December 23, 2022
Summary
Hidden hunger affects over 2 billion people globally. Biofortified wheat, rich in iron and zinc, offers a promising strategy to improve nutrition and combat stunting in India.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Human Nutrition
- Genetics
Background:
- Undernourishment, or hidden hunger, impacts over 2 billion individuals worldwide.
- India faces a significant burden of childhood stunting, despite recent decreases.
- Biofortified crops have shown success, benefiting millions of farm households globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of biofortified wheat for enhancing micronutrient intake in India.
- To discuss the integration of biofortified wheat varieties into existing seed systems.
- To explore the dynamics, genetics, and plant uptake of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in wheat.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on wheat biofortification.
- Analysis of iron and zinc dynamics, uptake, and accumulation in wheat plants.
- Examination of genetic factors influencing micronutrient content in wheat.
- Assessment of strategies for incorporating biofortified wheat into seed multiplication chains.
Main Results:
- Wheat is a staple food in India, providing a viable vehicle for micronutrient delivery.
- Biofortification can enhance iron and zinc content in wheat, addressing nutritional deficiencies.
- Successful integration into seed chains can significantly increase the availability of biofortified wheat.
Conclusions:
- Biofortified wheat presents a sustainable approach to combat hidden hunger and improve public health in India.
- Further research and policy support are crucial for the widespread adoption of biofortified wheat varieties.
- Integrating biofortified wheat into the seed chain is key to ensuring nutritional security for vulnerable populations.
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