ASSOCHAM to Organize a Webinar on ‘Biofortification: A Path to Sustainable Nutrition’ on October 1

Realizing the problem of ‘Hunger’, ASSOCHAM is organizing a Webinar on ‘Biofortification: A path to Sustainable Nutrition’ on October 1, 2021, 2 PM IST onward in association with HarvestPlus & GAIN.

It is important to mention that Krishi Jagran is the official media partner of this event. 

The session will focus on the significance of biofortification in fighting hidden hunger, creating awareness about biofortified crops currently available, understanding the relationship between biofortification and other methods of food enrichment, and understanding the agricultural benefits of biofortified crops.

Why Biofortification?

More than 2 billion people worldwide suffer from “hidden hunger,” wherein they fail to obtain enough micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) from the foods they eat. In addition to that, the COVID-19 pandemic is undermining nutrition across the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

It is estimated that COVID-19 will result in an additional 2.6 million chronically malnourished children by 2022, reversing the decreasing curve for the first time in three decades.  

It is also pertinent to note that Indian diets are typically dominated by staples such as rice and wheat, with limited dietary diversification toward micronutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and animal source foods. The introduction of biofortified staples into the food system can help improve diets considerably. 

In fact, biofortification is highly cost-effective can be a key food-based approach to tackle malnourishment and micronutrient deficiency, especially among low-income families who cannot afford high-value foods.  By this process, the nutrient density of food crops is increased without sacrificing any characteristics.

PM Narendra Modi also endorses biofortification as an effective technique to address widespread micronutrient deficiency which primarily targets low-income smallholder farming families. No single intervention will address all micronutrient deficiencies, and biofortification complements existing interventions, such as supplementation and industrial food fortification. 

Thus, strong policy support from the government and partnerships would further increase the adoption and acceptance of biofortified crops.

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/2XrjmpK