Biofortified Cereal Crops: A Sustainable Approach for Food and Nutritional Security

Abstract

Introduction: A stealthier form of deficiency is known as hidden hunger which is caused due to the intake of cheap food and having the characteristic of fulfilness but actually lacked in essential vitamins and minerals. In underdeveloped and developing countries, over 900 million poor people are at a higher risk of hunger, suffered from food insecurity and more than 1 million children died every year. Aims: To review and study the role of biofortified cereal crops to overcome malnutrition and in food and nutrition security. Methodology: Agriculture is the key to achievement of self-sufficiency of food grains, but now a days, biofortification becomes a sustainable approach and food based solution to overcome malnutrition even at a low cost. Different research studies and various reports were reviewed to assess the role of biofortified cereal in reducing the risk of malnutrition. Results: Biofortification is defined as the method of breeding crops to increase and improve nutrient contents of foods including micronutrients and their precursors. Quality protein maize has double the amount of lysine and tryptophan as well as protein bioavailability that rivals milk casein. Biofortified cereals can be used for various purposes such as bakery and convenience foods, emergency ration, health food mixes, infant, snack, specialty and traditional foods and to improve the status of food and nutritional security. Prepared value added products results in an increase in food availability, add the variety to foods to make them enrich in essential micronutrients and make them affordable by reducing the price which will help to get rid of poverty as well as hunger. Conclusion: Biofortified cereals also play an important role in contributing to the country’s food and nutritional security specifically to the poor population.