**5. Status of malnutrition: Indian scenario**


By the creation of high-yielding biofortified crop varieties, ICAR is dedicated to the SDGs by taking into account all of these factors.

#### **6. Biofortified crop cultivars**

The National Agricultural Research System (NARS), which consists of ICAR institutes and State Agricultural Universities, has significantly contributed to India's achievement of food self-sufficiency (SAUs). The amount of food produced in India increased from 50.82 mt in 1950–1951 to 284.8 mt in 2017–2018. (Fourth Advance Estimates) 24. Horticulture crops also increased, going from 96.56 mt in 1991–1992 to 306.8 mt in 2017–2018. (Third Advance Estimates) 24. The tremendous increase in yield potential has been made possible through the development and application of high yielding cultivars and heterotic hybrids, activities that began during the Green Revolution. As of this writing, NARS has produced 4723 unique field crop varieties. Yet during the process of yield augmentation, nutritional quality was not given the attention it required, and as a result, the bulk of these varieties lack the proper level of nutritional quality. Recognising the crucial importance of nutritional quality, NARS' research has now produced and distributed a variety of biofortified varieties for different crops through All Indian Coordinated Research Programmes (AICRPs). The biofortified varieties also offer enough calories while also supplying the requisite nutrient(s) for healthy growth and development [7].

Similar advantages More than 2 billion people, or one in three people, experience vitamin deficiencies globally. Such deficiencies occur when dietary intake and mineral absorption are insufficient to sustain healthy growth and development. Agricultural research for developing countries has boosted the production and accessibility of calorically dense staple crops during the past 50 years, but not in a proportionate way for non-staples like vegetables, pulses, and animal products, which are high in micronutrients. It has become increasingly difficult for the poor to afford dietary quality as the price of non-essential goods has constantly and considerably grown [7].

Through increasing production of foods high in micronutrients and diversifying diets, long-term reductions in micronutrient shortages will be possible. Eating crops that have been biofortified can help reduce short-term micronutrient shortages by increasing daily

adequacy of micronutrient intakes across persons throughout their lives. Biofortification is a helpful complement to other therapies, such as dietary supplements and commercial food fortification, for treating micronutrient deficits that cannot be remedied with a single action. To reach underserved rural populations and to be long-term cost-effective, biofortification offers two important comparative advantages. Contrary to the ongoing financial commitments required for supplementation and commercial fortification projects, a one-time investment in plant breeding yields micronutrient-rich biofortified planting material for farmers to grow at nearly zero marginal cost [37].

After being grown, crops with improved nutrition can be evaluated and adjusted to different environments and areas, double the benefits of the initial investment. When the micronutrient trait is incorporated into the fundamental breeding objectives of national and international crop development programmes, ongoing expenses for monitoring and maintenance by agriculture research institutes are minimal. Another practical aim of biofortified crops is to reach rural populations that might struggle to acquire healthy food or other micronutrient treatments. The target micronutrient levels for biofortified crops are determined to meet the specific nutritional needs of women and children based on current consumption trends. Farmers now have a choice thanks to biofortification, which combines the micronutrient trait with other desired agronomic and consumer qualities [37].

#### **6.1 Crop development**

Plant breeding can increase staple crop nutrient levels to target levels needed for increasing human nutrition without losing yield or farmer-preferred agronomic traits. It is required to screen germplasm for genetic diversity, design and test germplasm that is rich in micronutrients, conduct genetic research, and develop molecular markers to expedite and lower the cost of breeding in order to create novel crops. After being created, promising lines are evaluated in various locations throughout target habitats to determine the genotype x environment interaction (GxE), or the effect of the growing environment on micronutrient expression. Strong regional testing enables the reduction of time to market for biofortified cultivars Nutritional breeding targets for each crop were established early on in the conceptual development of biofortification by a working group comprising nutritionists, food technologists, and plant breeders. These goals were established based on the food consumption habits of the target groups, expected nutrient losses during storage and processing, and nutrient bioavailability [38].

When developing breeding targets for biofortified crops, consideration was given to the particular dietary needs and eating patterns of women and children. Targets were set so that, for preschoolers ages 4–6 and for non-pregnant, non-lactating women of reproductive age, the total amount of iron in iron beans and iron pearl millet will provide roughly 60% of the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) (30% of the EAR for iron at baseline before breeding for high iron); the amount of zinc in zinc wheat and zinc rice will provide 60–80% of the EAR (40% of the EA); and the total amount of zinc in (zero provitamin A at baseline). The breeding aim is the total of the baseline micronutrient content and the required increase in micronutrient content for each crop and micronutrient combination [38].

#### **6.2 A framework for the breeding of bio-fortified germplasm**

The major procedures for producing biofortified germplasm are depicted in **Figure 1**. To ensure nutrient impact and farmer and consumer consent, activities *Biofortification of Millets: A Way to Ensure Nutritional Security DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.113971*

**Figure 1.** *Crop development framework [39].*

outside of crop development are indicated in the left column [39]. A decisiontree that allows for tracking progress and making strategic decisions when goals are not fulfilled is placed above the right columns, which present the stages and milestones of crop development in sequential order. To design crops for biofortification, the first step is to look into the genetic variety that is now available for iron, zinc, and provitamin A carotenoids (yellow boxes). Characterisation of agronomic and end-use characteristics occurs immediately with or during subsequent screening.

When investigating the genetic diversity that exists, the following goals need to be noted:

1.Parental genotypes for cross-breeding, genetic research, creating molecular markers, and parent-building.

2.For "fast-tracking," choose pre-varieties that have already been released or finished germplasm products. Fast-tracking is the process of releasing, commercialising, or introducing genotypes that have the desired agronomic and end-use features as well as the target micronutrient density so they may be distributed right away.

If variation is present in the strategic gene pool (only in unadapted sources), pre-breeding is necessary before employing the trait in final product creation; if variation is present in the adapted gene pool, the materials can be used right away to create competitive variations (purple boxes). Prebreeding and product improvement activities are combined in the majority of breeding efforts to produce germplasm with high levels of one or more micronutrients. In the later stages of breeding, micronutrient-rich germplasm is developed and evaluated, genetic studies are conducted, and molecular markers are developed to speed up breeding. In trial locations and in farmer's fields in the target countries, the impact of the growing environment on the expression of micronutrients is then determined (orange boxes). The most promising varieties are chosen by national research partners for multi-locational testing over several seasons, and after being submitted to national government agencies for testing for agronomic performance and release, a procedure that typically takes 2 years, occasionally longer, are then tested for their performance in the field (**Figure 1**).

#### **6.3 Transgenic approaches**

When the desired nutrient does not naturally occur in the hundreds of varieties in germplasm banks at the necessary quantities, transgenic plant breeding is a promising way to generate biofortified crops with the requisite nutrient and agronomic properties. Restricted field tests, for instance, have been carried out on transgenic iron and zinc rice, which may provide 30% of the EAR for both elements [40]. As golden rice contains beta carotene, it can provide more than 50% of the EAR for vitamin A. Since early 2000, there has been a prototype of Golden Rice, but it has not yet been made available for purchase in any country, partly due to the regulatory clearance processes' extreme risk aversion [41]. Despite the fact that the introduction of these transgenic cultivars to farmers is still a few years away and is dependent on their approval through national biosafety and regulatory processes, they offer a large nutritional potential. For HarvestPlus efforts, all of the crops that have been produced or will be released soon employ traditional breeding rather than transgenic breeding. HarvestPlus thinks that because traditional breeding does not encounter the same regulatory hurdles and is widely accepted, it is the fastest way to get more nutrientdense crops into the hands of farmers and consumers. The focus of this essay is the data offered in support of conventionally grown biofortified crops.

#### **6.4 International nurseries/global testing**

HarvestPlus has used two tactics to shorten the time to market for biofortified crops: Two techniques are being employed to quicken release operations while cultivars with the necessary micronutrient content are still being developed: (1) Choosing adapted varieties with high micronutrient contents for release and/or distribution as "quick track" varieties, and (2) conducting multi-location Regional Trials in numerous locations across a variety of countries and sites. Regional trials comprise biofortified varieties that have previously been released and generate data on their regional performance in order to benefit from regional variety release schemes, such as those

under the SADC (Southern African Development Community). These regional agreements harmonise seed regulations among participants and enable the simultaneous distribution of any variety tried, approved, and released in one participant country in participants with comparable agro-ecologies [39].

### **6.5 Low-cost, high throughput methods**

Biofortification breeding required the development or use of rapid, inexpensive analytical methods for micronutrients due to the necessity of analysing hundreds of samples for mineral or vitamin content each season. These trait diagnostics include methods like NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) and colorimetric carotenoid measurements. Since it involves minimal pre-analytical preparation and permits nondestructive inspection, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) has emerged as the method of choice for mineral analysis [42, 43].

### **6.6 Releases of biofortified crops**

More than 150 biofortified cultivars of ten different crops have been sent to 30 different nations overall. A total of 12 different crops' potential biofortified types are being considered for distribution in 25 more countries. **Figure 2** depicts the areas where biofortified cultivars have been tested and made accessible thus far. Countries in the dark purple have already made biofortified crops available, while those in the light purple are still testing them. In the countries depicted on this map, the orange sweet potato has been propagated by the International Potato Center (CIP). You may get more particular information about the cultivars that have been assessed and made available in each country on the HarvestPlus website.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has improved the nutritional value of high yielding varieties of grains, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, and fruits through breeding techniques [44, 45]. Special efforts were started during the 12th Plan with the development of a specific project on the Consortium Research Platform on Biofortification. 71 different varieties of rice, wheat, maize, pearl millet, finger millet, groundnut, linseed, mustard, soybean, cauliflower, potato, sweet potato, greater yam, and pomegranate have been developed as a consequence of coordinated efforts in collaboration with other national and international initiatives. Advanced

**Figure 2.** *Biofortified crop map. Source [39].*

elite materials in considerable quantities are also in development and will be made available when the time is appropriate. The nutritional security of the country is greatly enhanced by these biofortified types. A lot of effort is put into promoting the biofortified millet cultivars.

High-quality cultivar-specific seeds that have been biofortified are developed and made available for commercial production. The Extension Division of ICAR has also introduced the Value Addition and Technology Incubation Centers in Agriculture (VATICA) and Nutri-sensitive Agricultural Resources and Innovations (NARI) special programmes to scale up the biofortified cultivars through its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) [44].

## **6.7 ICAR Released some bio fortified Millets which are enlisted below:**


in Maharashtra is an adaptation. Developed by the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth in Dhule as part of the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Study on Pearl Millet, it has the following characteristics: • Grain yield: 29.3 q/ha • Dry fodder yield: 56.0 q/ha • Maturity: 88 days, and it was released in 2018.Pearl Millet: RHB 233 (Hybrid)


Research Station at the Navsari Agricultural University in Waghai, this research is being done as part of the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Small Millets. produced in 2020 and released.Little Millet: CLMV1 (Pure line variety)

m. High in zinc (35.0 ppm) and iron (59.0 ppm), as opposed to popular varieties' 25 ppm and 20 ppm, respectively Release year 2020; ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad; yields of grain: 15.8 q/ha; yields of dry fodder: 55.5 q/ha; maturities: 98–102 days; suitable for rainfed conditions; adapted to Kharif season in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.

### **7. Components for global delivery**

In order for biofortification to be extensively used and truly sustainable, several institutions must be involved in building an enabling environment. This includes adoption by the private sector, inclusion in multilaterally financed development policies and programmes, and incorporation into actual development initiatives that are being carried out on the ground, both inside and outside of target nations. This enabling environment is essential for fostering the growth of biofortified crops and supporting national actors across a range of sectors [46].

#### **7.1 Standards and regulatory**

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) jointly administer the Codex Alimentarius, the organisation that sets food standards and is acknowledged as the reference organisation by the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) (FAO). There are projects in place to incorporate biofortification into these international standards and guidelines. The Codex Alimentarius is still working on defining biofortification and developing a set of guidelines for it. The widely accepted Codex reference standard, once it is adopted, aids in promoting biofortified foods and crops across borders, standardising labelling and health claims, and decreasing the prevalence of misleading claims [47].

#### **7.2 Multi-lateral institutions**

Beyond their particular investments and activities, multilateral organisations like the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the World Food Programme, and the World Health Organisation collectively have an impact on national government policymakers and operational partners. One of the World Bank's current biofortification-supporting programmes is the Multisectoral Food Security and Nutrition Project in Uganda, which is quickening the scale-up of orange sweet potatoes and iron beans. The Bank is instrumental in advancing nutrient-sensitive agricultural practises, such as biofortification, in forums like the Global Donor Forum for Rural Development. The African Development Bank's new "Banking on Nutrition" technical collaboration is implementing a multi-sectoral and integrated strategy to nutrition interventions, including the use of biofortified crops. The World Food Programme's (WFP) Buy for Progress programme, which is very interested in local purchases of biofortified crops, is forming partnerships in a number of countries. For instance, local iron bean produce is purchased and stored in WFP facilities in Rwanda in case of future disasters.

In 2017, the WHO Nutrition Guidelines Expert Advisory Group is anticipated to issue recommendations and guidelines for biofortification as a public health nutrition intervention. One phase in the process will be the publication of papers discussed in 2016 during an expert consultation held at the New York Academy of Sciences [47].

#### **7.3 Private sectors**

As a result of agricultural development programmes, more biofortified crop varieties are being published, therefore farmers need to have access to seeds from these types. Private seed companies are a natural partner in countries with robust private seed systems that reach smallholder farmers. To ensure that there would be a market for the private sector's seed and reduce the risk associated with that investment, HarvestPlus has negotiated partnerships in some cases between seed producers and interested NGOs or governments. Despite the fact that the private sector has mostly accepted hybrid crops, interest in a wider range of crops has increased as the commercial rationale for them has been established. Private sector seed businesses are brought in to assist with marketing, development, and testing of biofortified cultivars, thereby reducing time to market and establishing the groundwork for sustainability. Food processing companies are developing a significant portion of the value chain for foods manufactured from biofortified crops. Small and medium-sized firms can help increase demand even before supplies of biofortified grain and food are scaled up. For certain commodities and nations, like cassava in Nigeria, small and medium-sized food processors predominate the food value chain. The interest of multinational firms in biofortified crops is still growing, but many are already experimenting with them in their food products. These companies add to the corpus of knowledge on vitamin and mineral retention by analysing various methods of processing for minerals and vitamins [47].

#### **7.4 NGOs**

Although while private sector participation is vital for creating sustainable markets for biofortified seed and foods, NGOs nevertheless play a significant role in providing this nutrition intervention to those that are most in need. The present global relationship between World Vision and Harvest Plus serves as an example of how a leading development NGO may integrate biofortified crops into its ongoing agricultural efforts and link them to health and nutrition initiatives. Currently, Harvest Plus provides technical support while World Vision, which operates in 15 countries, leads in delivery. This kind of collaboration, where biofortified crops are incorporated into already-existing agriculture and nutrition projects or included in newly developed projects developed collaboratively, will continue to be essential to reach the most vulnerable households, which may also be the most likely to experience micronutrient deficiencies [47].

#### **7.5 Extending beyond target nations to partnering country strategies**

The government-sponsored biofortification programmes in Brazil, China, and India that are not in the target countries have received funding from Harvest Plus, their support has been extended, and they now work closely with them. Through the Harvest Plus Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) programme, which is run by the Research Corporation of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Harvest Plus provides technical support and assistance to government-led biofortification programmes in

Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Panama (EMBRAPA). Harvest Plus is also researching initiatives in a number of other nations. Such a collaborative effort is essential as biofortification gets momentum. While Harvest Plus continues to provide technical support and promote links between groups, other organisations and individuals will increasingly take the lead in delivery on the ground [39].
