Biofortification of Staple Food Crops
Abstract
Deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, and zinc
affect over one-half of the world's population. Progress has been made
to control
micronutrient deficiencies through supplementation
and food fortification, but new approaches are needed, especially to
reach
the rural poor. Biofortification (enriching the
nutrition contribution of staple crops through plant breeding) is one
option.
Scientific evidence shows this is technically
feasible without compromising agronomic productivity. Predictive
cost-benefit
analyses also support biofortification as being
important in the armamentarium for controlling micronutrient
deficiencies.
The challenge is to get producers and consumers to
accept biofortified crops and increase their intake of the target
nutrients.
With the advent of good seed systems, the
development of markets and products, and demand creation, this can be
achieved.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar