#biofortified — Public Fediverse posts

#Biofortified crops are produced by #farmers in 40+ countries & eaten by hundreds of millions of people. The strategy is now recognized by the #nutrition community as an effective approach to reduce #micronutrient deficiencies. This is promising... (1/2) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.104478

No #GMO crops with #nutrition benefits (such as #GoldenRice & Folate #Biofortified Rice) are commercialized. But #consumers are generally in favour of their introduction—which would generate large #health benefits at relatively low costs: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316585269.013 #plantbreeding

Biofortified #maize offers a potential solution to combat micronutrient #malnutrition. Providing nutrition information significantly increases #farmers' interest in purchasing #biofortified maize seeds: https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12845 #plantbreeding #seeds #Ethiopia #corn #adoption

A #biofortified zinc-rich #wheat variety emerged as the mega variety of #Pakistan: cultivated on 42% of its wheat cropping area in 2023-24, it helps transform #foodsystems, and gives 97 million people access to affordable #nutrition & improved livelihoods: https://www.harvestplus.org/zinc-enriched-wheat-akbar-2019-emerged-as-a-mega-variety-in-pakistan/

Sub-Saharan #Africa: Maize-based #diets without vitamin A #supplementation are linked to high rates of #vitaminA deficiency (#VAD). So far, #maize breeding programs developed 70 #biofortified elite varieties to curb VAD: https://doi.org/10.1079/cabireviews.2023.0041 #nutrition #plantbreeding

Sub-Saharan #Africa: Maize-based #diets without vitamin A #supplementation are linked to high rates of #vitaminA deficiency (#VAD). So far, #maize breeding programs developed 70 #biofortified elite varieties to curb VAD: https://doi.org/10.1079/cabireviews.2023.0041 #nutrition #plantbreeding

Since 2014, 142 #biofortified crop varieties were developed in #India. They are equal or better in #yields but have normal water & nutrient requirements; their production is not more expensive. 10 million ha have been covered: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1984070 #nutrition #plantbreeding

Conventional #plantbreeding helped develop #legumes with better #nutrition (beans with high #zinc & iron, high zinc #lentils). Molecular breeding can help overcome limitations (genetic diversity, time) to develop future #biofortified legume crops: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-33957-8_5 #beans

Plants can be biofortified with #vitaminB12 using #aeroponics to contain recommended daily doses. Being common foods, #biofortified crops align with dietary habits & cultural preferences. This helps promote #sustainable dietary change: https://quadram.ac.uk/plant-powered-innovations-uk-researchers-boost-b12-in-pea-shoots-using-aeroponics/ #diets #nutrition

Developing #biofortified crops thru conventional #plantbreeding takes 8-10 years. #GMOs allow more efficient & faster multi-nutrient #biofortification, combined with #climate resilience. Regulating #geneediting less strictly may help dissemination: https://portlandpress.com/emergtoplifesci/article-abstract/doi/10.1042/ETLS20230066/ #CRISPR

Post-harvest handling can affect #micronutrients retention in #biofortified crops. Provitamin A crops maintain high amounts. Iron & #zinc crops have more variability, dependent on processing methods; whole grain products are better: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-023-00874-y #vitaminA #nutrition

Resilience in #agriculture: improved varieties of crops for better nutrition, yield, and income.

It drives me insane that some people want to prevent farmers from choosing what's right for them.

#biofortified

https://www.en.krishakjagat.org/global-agriculture/one-womans-story-building-resiliency-with-iron-beans/

#ClimateChange may affect crops' nutrition quality . Producing more food with better #nutrition should be prioritized in #breeding programs. Millions of households already grow #biofortified rice, wheat, beans & cassava to address micronutrient deficiency: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1119148

#Zinc deficiency is a severe public #health problem in #Bangladesh. With nutrition information, #consumers are willing to pay 4.6% more for zinc #biofortified rice compared to non-biofortified #rice, but discounted low-milled rice by 8-10%: https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12739 #nutrition

#Zimbabwe Chiefs receive 3000kg of #biofortified seed.

Better nutrition with pro-vitamin A crops.

https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-chiefs-receive-3-000kg-of-biofortified-seed