Biofortification: harnessing agricultural technology to improve the health of the poor

This brief discusses a new breed of ultra-nourishing crops capable of alleviating malnutrition in even the most hard-to-reach populations—crops such as rice loaded with iron, maize packed with zinc, and wheat strengthened with vitamin A. These staples would need no commercial fortification, and coul...

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Main Author: International Food Policy Research Institute
Format: Brief
Language:Inglés
Published: International Food Policy Research Institute 2002
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/155608
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author International Food Policy Research Institute
author_browse International Food Policy Research Institute
author_facet International Food Policy Research Institute
author_sort International Food Policy Research Institute
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This brief discusses a new breed of ultra-nourishing crops capable of alleviating malnutrition in even the most hard-to-reach populations—crops such as rice loaded with iron, maize packed with zinc, and wheat strengthened with vitamin A. These staples would need no commercial fortification, and could be grown on family plots throughout the developing world. It is now possible to breed plants for increased vitamin and mineral content, making “biofortified™” crops one of the most promising new tools in the fight to end malnutrition and save lives. The authors conclude that biofortification makes sense as part of an integrated food systems approach to reducing malnutrition. It addresses the root causes of micronutrient malnutrition, targets the poorest people, uses built-in delivery mechanisms, is scientifically feasible and cost-effective, and complements other on-going methods of dealing with micronutrient deficiencies.
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spelling CGSpace1556082025-01-10T06:36:04Z Biofortification: harnessing agricultural technology to improve the health of the poor International Food Policy Research Institute crops nutrition genetic engineering plant breeding innovation nutritional disorders malnutrition rice maize wheat vitamin deficiencies iron deficiency chlorosis trace elements developing countries This brief discusses a new breed of ultra-nourishing crops capable of alleviating malnutrition in even the most hard-to-reach populations—crops such as rice loaded with iron, maize packed with zinc, and wheat strengthened with vitamin A. These staples would need no commercial fortification, and could be grown on family plots throughout the developing world. It is now possible to breed plants for increased vitamin and mineral content, making “biofortified™” crops one of the most promising new tools in the fight to end malnutrition and save lives. The authors conclude that biofortification makes sense as part of an integrated food systems approach to reducing malnutrition. It addresses the root causes of micronutrient malnutrition, targets the poorest people, uses built-in delivery mechanisms, is scientifically feasible and cost-effective, and complements other on-going methods of dealing with micronutrient deficiencies. 2002 2024-10-24T12:42:20Z 2024-10-24T12:42:20Z Brief https://hdl.handle.net/10568/155608 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute International Center for Tropical Agriculture International Food Policy Research Institute. 2002. Biofortification: harnessing agricultural technology to improve the health of the poor. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/155608
spellingShingle crops
nutrition
genetic engineering
plant breeding
innovation
nutritional disorders
malnutrition
rice
maize
wheat
vitamin deficiencies
iron deficiency chlorosis
trace elements
developing countries
International Food Policy Research Institute
Biofortification: harnessing agricultural technology to improve the health of the poor
title Biofortification: harnessing agricultural technology to improve the health of the poor
title_full Biofortification: harnessing agricultural technology to improve the health of the poor
title_fullStr Biofortification: harnessing agricultural technology to improve the health of the poor
title_full_unstemmed Biofortification: harnessing agricultural technology to improve the health of the poor
title_short Biofortification: harnessing agricultural technology to improve the health of the poor
title_sort biofortification harnessing agricultural technology to improve the health of the poor
topic crops
nutrition
genetic engineering
plant breeding
innovation
nutritional disorders
malnutrition
rice
maize
wheat
vitamin deficiencies
iron deficiency chlorosis
trace elements
developing countries
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/155608
work_keys_str_mv AT internationalfoodpolicyresearchinstitute biofortificationharnessingagriculturaltechnologytoimprovethehealthofthepoor