How India Will Fight Malnutrition With Biofortified Crops As Modi Announced Fortified Rice By 2024

On August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort to mark India’s 75th Independence Day. Besides other big announcements, he emphasised the need to ensure “poshan” (nutrition) to the country’s women and children. PM Modi announced that, by 2024, rice provided to the poor under any government scheme — PDS, mid-day-meal, anganwadi — will be fortified. It is a bold decision.

Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday launched a national food and nutrition campaign for farmers. “Efforts are also being made to make agriculture and farmers connected with new technology. We have expertise in production, but it is also important to manage this abundance. It is the responsibility of the farmers along with the government to ensure that our products should be of better quality, meet global standards. Farmers should be attracted towards costly crops,” Tomar said at the launch.

Scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have been developing biofortified crops in India with a view to eradicating malnutrition amongst the poor sections of the society. As per the ICAR website, they had developed 21 varieties of biofortified staples including wheat, rice, maize, millets, mustard, groundnut by 2019-20. These biofortified crops have 1.5 to 3 times higher levels of protein, vitamins, minerals and amino acids compared to the traditional varieties.

#FortifiedCrops #Biofortified #Nutrition

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[anujmudgal]

In crops ke long term nuksan kya hain ye bhi batayein..
Kyu inki kamiya nahi batai jati..