Biofortification of Millets: A Key Strategy to Combat Micronutrient De-ficiencies in India

In the 2022 Global Hunger Index, India ranked 107th out of 121 countries, with the severity of hunger categorized as "serious." Approximately 16.3% of the population (about 224 million people) is undernourished, with a disproportionate impact on women and children. Malnutrition, stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies are widespread, contributing significantly to India’s disease burden, particularly among children and pregnant women. To address these pressing nutritional challenges, the Government of India launched the POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission), aiming to eradicate malnutrition and improve the nutritional outcomes of vulnerable populations. One promising solution to combat micronutrient deficiencies is biofortification, a process that enhances the nutritional content of crops through agricultural methods. This article explores the role of biofortification, with a particular focus on millets, in addressing India’s micronutrient malnutrition crisis.