The Financial Express
To improve nutrient content in the existing crops, the government has commenced work on development of bio-fortified seeds enriched with more protein, zinc and other nutrients for several crops such as pulses, rice, wheat, mustard, millet, fruits and vegetables.
Sources told FE that Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), a key body under the agriculture ministry, is currently working on developing around 140 varieties of fortified seeds for several crops.
Officials said the objective of bio-fortification of seeds to improve India’s low ranking in global hunger index because of comparatively low nutritional value in the existing crops although availability of the food to the large mass of people have been largely addressed.
Several rounds of consultations have been held amongst officials of agriculture ministry, food ministry, Niti Aayog and several other stakeholders on developing bio-fortified seeds.
According to an agriculture ministry official, for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) of removing malnutrition in all forms by 2030, bio-fortification of seed is a critical component. Amongst the SDGs, achieving zero hunger, achieving food security, improved nutrition and promotion of sustainable agriculture, the official said.
Officials said that while India continues to witness fastest economic growth while it has about 190 million people who are undernourished.
Sources said in the last eight years despite ICAR and its affiliated institutes releasing 87 bio-fortified varieties of seeds including cereals (63 varieties), oilseeds (14) and pulses (2), adoption by the farmers have not been encouraging.
“Bio-fortified varieties currently do not fetch a premium in the market by the farmers while their yield compared to conventional varieties are less,” an official said.
He said that the government has to carry out large-scale efficacy trials of bio-fortified varieties before the private sector starts participating in multiplications and selling of seeds.
Currently, bio-fortification is carried out through conventional selective breeding processes and genetic engineering methods.
In the case of rice, some of the varieties developed by ICAR and its affiliated institutes include CR Dhan 310, DRR Dhan 45, DRR Dhan 48 and Zinco rice which contain more protein as well as zinc compared to popular rice varieties.
Smilarily wheat varieties – Wb 02, Hpbw 01, Pusa Tejas, Pusa Ujala and DBW 303 have more protein, iron and zinc content compared to the conventional varieties.
ICAR has mandated establishing minimum levels of iron and zinc to be bred into all the varieties of pearl millets. Climate-smart Iron pearl millet varieties are aimed at providing more dietary iron to rural farming communities in arid and drought-prone regions where few other crops are cultivated.
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