Crop Bio-Fortification: A Promising Strategy for Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies

Micronutrient deficiency is a widespread issue globally, leading to “hidden hunger” where individuals may consume enough calories but still lack essential vitamins and minerals. To tackle this problem, crop bio-fortification is a crucial and achievable goal, particularly in areas where hidden hunger is prevalent. Several strategies can achieve crop bio-fortification, such as targeted enhancement of micronutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C in crops, improved nutrient absorption in crops, and better nutrient absorption in the human body (bioavailability). Other strategies include bio-fortification of food crops by breeding with utilization of available genetic variability and promoting crop diversification by cultivating nutri-rich minor millets (finger, kodo, proso, foxtail, barnyard millet, and underutilized pulses like Bambara groundnut, adzuki bean, rice bean, and horse gram). Minor millets are an excellent alternative to cultivating rice crops in the Kharif season. Bio-fortification is more economical and eco-friendly when compared to alternative approaches like ferti-fortification, supplementing, or fortifying processed meals. However, local farming practices and dietary preferences must be considered while developing such bio-fortified crops. There are global initiatives underway to boost the requirement for bio-fortified high-yielding food crops and nutrient-dense products made with them, benefiting both non-farmers and urban consumers. This chapter aims to provide an overview of the knowledge generated in this area.