Biofortification: A way to combat hidden hunger

Food is a basic necessity of all living creatures and is the source of vital energy. Food has a great impact on the health of individuals and thereby building a healthy society. Availability of quality food is equally important along with quantity. The food crop has undergone significant improvements in productivity and production over the last few decades, under the moniker "Green Revolution". As a result, we are in a reasonably secure position to satisfy the demand for food. However, the major focus was emphasized on production and productivity to hasten the food supply rather than giving importance to its nutritional status. The micronutrient content of staple food crops is not at its optimal level, and processing further decreases this concentration. Regular consumption of calorie-rich food with low nutrient status will cause an invisible deficiency of nutrients in the body called hidden hunger. There are various methods to combat this problem. In this chapter, an overview of strategies to overcome hidden hunger is explained with a major emphasis on biofortification.