India Advances Nutrition Security Through Biofortification
03 December 2025, New Delhi: India is taking bold strides toward ensuring not just food security but nutrition security through the large-scale promotion of biofortified crops. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India has made biofortification a national priority, urging scientists to develop and deliver nutrient-rich crop varieties that can help combat hidden hunger across the country.
In recent years, the government has released more than 100 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified varieties of key staple crops, including rice, wheat, maize, and millets. These varieties are developed to provide higher levels of essential micronutrients such as zinc, iron, and vitamin A—critical nutrients that millions of Indians lack in their daily diets. This initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s call to move “from food security to nutrition security,” transforming agriculture into a more health-focused and inclusive system.
“With PM Modi championing biofortification, we are witnessing a generational shift: a future where our staple grains don’t just fill stomachs but also rebuild health. This endorsement amplifies our efforts in scaling biofortified seeds, empowering farmers, and strengthening the food system,” remarked Ravinder Grover, HarvestPlus Solutions’ Chief Operating Officer.
India’s commitment to biofortification is further reinforced through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and state agricultural universities, which are strengthening breeding programs and scaling up the availability of biofortified seeds. These efforts are supported by policies that recognize biofortified crops as part of the solution to national nutrition goals, including the Poshan Abhiyaan and other flagship nutrition and food programs.
HarvestPlus: Catalyzing Biofortification in India and Globally
At the heart of this progress is HarvestPlus, a global leader in biofortification research, delivery, and advocacy. Through science-based innovation and multi-sector partnerships, HarvestPlus has collaborated with Indian research institutions, government agencies, and the private sector to develop and scale biofortified crops tailored to country’s diverse agroecological regions.
HarvestPlus has been instrumental in building scientific capacity and promoting farmer adoption of zinc-enriched rice and wheat — two crops that are already improving the diets of farming families and consumers. The program supports national breeding efforts, seed dissemination, and awareness campaigns to integrate biofortified crops into local food systems.
Today, India stands as a global example of how biofortification can be institutionalized by bridging agriculture, health, and policy. By aligning government commitment, scientific innovation, and development partnerships, India is charting a new path to end hidden hunger and build a healthier future for all.
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