Biofortification is the process in which the concentration of micronutrients (particularly zinc, iron, iodine and vitamin A) is increased in the crops.

Biofortification has principally been developed as a food-based strategy to address widespread deficiencies of micronutrients worldwide by enriching widely consumed staple crops at the production level. So that biofortified crops-based products can be made accessible to all income groups for gaining better nutrition and good health. 

According to World Health Organization (WHO), micronutrient-related deficiency (also called Hidden Hunger) represents a major threat to the health and development of populations worldwide, particularly children and pregnant women in low-income countries. It causes serious damage to health. These deficiencies occur due to a nutrient-poor diet that is based on poorly nutritiously crops.

Biofortification can be achieved in three ways – (a) conventional breeding techniques, (b) agronomic practices and (c) genetic modification.

All the biofortified crops varieties released in India are developed through either conventional breeding techniques or best agronomic practices or a combination of both methods.

Crop varieties that are enriched with micronutrients using the biofortification process are known as biofortified crops. These are naturally enriched micronutrients-rich food crops.

Biofortified food products are comprised of both fresh and value-added products derived from biofortified crops.

Biofortification differs from ordinary fortification. Biofortified crops-based food products are highly nutritious, healthy and naturally safe as the biofortification process naturally enriches the crops with micronutrients. On the other hand, fortification is an artificial way of enhancing the nutrients in the products during the processing stage.

Fortification is required for crops that are not naturally enriched. Hence, fortified products come with a premium price. Not just they are expensive but can cause serious health problems if not consumed in recommended doses. 

Biofortified food products are healthy, nutritious and safe for consumption as they are naturally rich in micronutrients. Several scientific studies shows that regular consumption of biofortified products effectively addresses the deficiency of micronutrients (Hidden Hunger) among masses.

It has saved people from serious health problems such as blindness, high rates of stunting, diarrheal and respiratory infections, physical weakness from anemia, poor pregnancy outcomes, developmental impairments (brain and body) in children and even death

In terms of nutrition and health benefits, biofortified products are desirable for all irrespective of age and gender. However, these are found to be very effective in addressing nutritional deficiencies, especially in young children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and women of childbearing age.

In terms of economic benefits, these are pocket friendly and easily accessible to all even in low-income countries.

Scientific studies show that biofortified products are capable of meeting between 40% to 100% of daily needs for a given micronutrient if consumed regularly.  

There are not any substantial differences in the taste, smell, texture and physical appearance of the biofortified crops-based food products in comparison to regularly available crops-based food products. Invariably, they are highly rich in micronutrients, healthy and naturally safe. <p>However, biofortified fresh products that are rich in Vitamin A such as orange flesh sweetpotato, change their color to yellow or orange because of alpha and beta carotene and are sweeter in taste, but full of healthy nutrition.

These products are not expensive as biofortification process is more sustainable. It requires fewer natural resources than the traditional fortification process of improving the micronutrients of the products.

Further, our company is into Farm to Fork supply chain. This means we source crops directly from our farmers to ensure delivery of quality nutritious healthy products to their final destination at a reasonable price.

The scientific study estimated that the “health benefit to cost ratio of biofortified nutritious crops stands at US$17 of benefits for every US$ 1 invested”, which means good health is achievable even in low food budget and also relief from huge medical bills owing to nutritional deficiencies.

In nutshell, these products are both healthy and pocket-friendly. 

Our company works on Farm to Fork supply chain. We have strict quality control measurements in place to ensure the delivery of high-quality nutritious products until their final destination. All the products are derived from biofortified crops, approved by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Further, we are in the process of certification of biofortified products with the help of international and national agriculture institutes and government bodies to create a distinctive trustworthy brand.

Our company supplies biofortified rice rich in zinc, biofortified rice rich in protein, orange flesh sweetpotato rich in vitamin A , biofortified pearl millet rich in iron and zinc 

Biofortification of crops is the need of the hour to overcome micronutrient-related malnutrition. Harvest Plus, an international research organization, a pioneer in biofortification is promoting these crops on a massive scale in collaboration with the Government of India, national and state agricultural research institutes/universities, private companies and NGOs.