Biofortification of cereal crops

Biofortification is the process by which the nutritional quality of staple crops is enhanced. This is done through conventional plant breeding and/or modern technology. More research is needed, but it is hoped that people who consume biofortified crops will have an improved nutritional intake.

Various biofortification projects are underway, including:

• iron-biofortification of rice, beans and sweet potato
• zinc-biofortification of wheat, rice, beans, sweet potato and maize
• provitamin A carotenoid-biofortification of sweet potato, maize and cassava.