Biofortification of Staple Crops to Alleviate Human Malnutrition: Contributions and Potential in Developing Countries

Micronutrient malnutrition is a global health challenge affecting almost half of the population, causing poor physical and mental development children wide range illnesses. It most prevalent in young girls, women, pre-school who are suffering particularly from low consumption vitamins micronutrients. Given this challenge, biofortification has proven to be promising economical approach increase concentration essential micronutrients edible portions staple crops. Produce quality micronutrient content can further enhanced with use fertilizers. Especially developing countries high percentage malnourished populations attracted integrated biofortification, combining modern agronomic interventions genetic improvement food Consequently, maize, rice, wheat, beans, pearl millet, sweet potato, cassava have all been biofortified increased concentrations Fe, Zn, or provitamin A various countries. Today, there several large-scale success stories Africa Asia that support research In review, we summarized what achieved date how crops improved by integrating strategies upgrade nutritional status adults around world.