67% of children anemic: ICAR develops 203 nutritious crop varieties

Iron-rich rice, protein wheat and fortified millets are part of solution to India’s problem hidden hungerNEW DELHI: With nearly 67 per cent of Indian children and more than half of women suffering from anemia, Indian agricultural scientists have developed 203 biofortified crop varieties rich in iron, zinc, protein and vitamins in an attempt to combat malnutrition through daily staple food.The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said in a new report released this year that nutrient-rich varieties developed between 2014 and 2025 include iron-rich rice, protein-rich wheat, zinc-rich maize and fortified millet, aiming to improve nutrition without requiring people to change their eating habits.The report cited data showing that 67.1% of children aged 6-59 months and more than 57% of women aged 15-49 years in India are anemic, while the country still faces a severe burden of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. India also faces widespread “hidden hunger” due to lack of essential micronutrients such as iron and zinc, the report said.The publication, Biofortified Crop Varieties: A Sustainable Way to Alleviate Malnutrition, states that these crops are developed through traditional and molecular breeding methods to naturally increase nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, protein and vitamin A.ICAR said India has so far developed 70 biofortified wheat varieties, 43 maize varieties, 18 pearl millet varieties and 16 rice varieties, as well as nutrient-rich pulses, oil seeds, vegetables and fruits.Launched by Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the SEHAT (Science Excellence in Health through Agricultural Transformation) mission, ICMR and ICAR seek to link agriculture with nutrition and disease prevention and promote the development of nutrient-rich crops.The report argues that biofortified crops could provide a low-cost and sustainable alternative to supplements and food fortification programs because nutrients are provided through the foods people eat on a daily basis.ICAR Director General ML Jat said dietary risks currently account for 54.6% of India’s disease burden and stressed the need to increase the nutritional sensitivity of the country’s agri-food system.Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said India’s foodgrain production will reach a record 357.7 million tonnes in 2024-25, but added that improving nutritional quality was equally important for food security.