Biofortification is the process of enhancing the nutritional quality of food crops through various agricultural methods and biotechnology to combat hidden hunger. It includes examples of crops enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, developed by institutions like IARI and ICAR, with notable varieties such as vitamin A enriched carrot and calcium enriched spinach. The practice is cost-effective and has shown significant economic returns, making it a potential solution for improving nutrition in developing countries.

1. BIOFORTIFICATION
By - DIVYA BADONI
Bsc (H) Biotechnology 2nd year
IMSUC , Ghaziabad

2. WHAT IS BIOFORTIFICATION?
▪ Greek word “bios” means “life” and Latin word “fortificare” means
“making strong”.
▪ Biofortification is a process by which the nutritional content quality of
food crops (essential for health, survival & reproduction) i.e.
1. Protein
2. Oil
3. Vitamin
4. Micronutrient & mineral
is improved through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding or
modern biotechnology.

3. Need for Biofortification
Eliminating hunger and nutrition comes under the 17 goals of
Sustainable development
HIDDEN
HUNGER

4. Methods to make a crop strong

5. EXAMPLES OF BIOFORTIFIED
CROPS
▪ IARI & ICAR has developed many bio fortified crops.
Vitamin A enriched carrot, pumpkin, spinach;Vitamin C enriched bitter
gourd, bathua, tomato, mustard; Calcium enriched spinach, bathua
and Protein enriched beans , etc.

6. MADHUVAN CARROT
▪ Iron content – 276.7mg/kg
▪ Higher beta- carotene(vitamin A) content – 277.75mg/kg.
▪ Developed by ShriVallabh bhai Vasrambhai Harvaniya, a 95
years old farmer scientist from Junagadh district of Gujarat.

7. ADVANTAGES OF BIOFORIFICATION
▪ A study in USA says each $ invested in
biofortfication gives country return of $17.
▪ Targets the poor.
▪ Rural-based.
▪ Cost-effective.
OVERALL IT CAN BE A GAME CHANGER FOR
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.