7 months ago

India's Nutrition Shift: Biofortified Seeds Address Micronutrient Deficiency

India's Nutrition Shift: Biofortified Seeds Address Micronutrient Deficiency
What Indians are eating is changing. Farms that feed them need to as well · indianexpress.com

In India, people are eating different foods now, like millets and quinoa, instead of just rice and wheat.

This is changing how farmers grow crops.

Most food in India is grown locally, and many people work in farming.

But now, people are spending less on cereals and more on fruits, vegetables, and processed foods.

Farmers still grow a lot of rice and wheat, but people want more varied and healthy foods.

This can help farmers earn more and make farming better for the environment.

The government can help by buying different crops and supporting farmers who grow them.

Additionally, scientists are making special seeds that help plants grow with more nutrients, like iron and zinc.

These seeds can help people get the nutrients they need without changing their diet.

These seeds are now available in many online stores, and people are buying them because they are healthy and familiar.

This is a good way to make sure everyone gets the right nutrients.

Key facts

Micronutrient Deficiency
Affects children, women, and working adults in India
Biofortification Approach
Enhances crops' natural ability to accumulate micronutrients
Biofortified Staples Availability
Now on platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, Amazon Fresh, and Flipkart Minutes
Consumer Response
Strong repeat behavior observed for biofortified staples
Nutrient Verification
Atomic spectroscopy allows precise measurement of minerals in grains and flours
Domestic Food Production
97%
Agriculture Workforce
45%
Cereal Consumption Decline
Since 1990s
Urban Cereal Expenditure
Less than 35%
Rural Processed Food Spending
Tripled in 20 years
Health and Packaged Food Growth
Over 20% annually
Rice and Wheat Cropped Area
40%
Pulses, Oilseeds, Fruits, Vegetables Cropped Area
Less than 30%
Millets Cropped Area
13%
Edible Oil Imports
60%
Millets Water Usage
60% less than rice and wheat
PM-POSHAN Beneficiaries
10-12 crore children daily

Quotes

Author

Former CEO-Oil Palm Plantation, Godrej Agrovet Ltd. & Consultant – Palm Oil Production and Plantation Development, Calcutta, West Bengal

“Yellow Revolution 2.0 cannot be target-driven; it must be outcome-driven”
thehindubusinessline.com

Sources

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