Bio-fortified Potatoes:
India is taking a significant step in tackling micronutrient deficiencies and improving agricultural sustainability by introducing bio-fortified potatoes with enhanced iron content, developed by the International Potato Center (CIP) based in Peru.
- Bio-fortified potatoes are a new variety enriched with higher iron content aimed at addressing iron deficiency and hidden hunger. These are developed using conventional breeding and biotechnology without altering taste or yield.
- The initiative is led by the International Potato Centre (CIP), based in The CIP is a global research leader in tuber crops and is working actively to promote nutritionally improved potatoes in India.
- Bio-fortified sweet potatoes enriched with Vitamin A are already available in Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha. Plans are underway to expand their access to more farmers across India.
- The current focus is on iron-fortified potato varieties, for which germplasm has been shared with ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla.
- A variety has already been released in Peru and is currently under evaluation and adaptation for Indian agro-climatic conditions.
- CIP is establishing a South Asia regional centre in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, acknowledging the Indo-Gangetic plains as the world’s largest potato-producing region.
- This centre will boost regional R&D and seed access.
- ICAR has released biofortified seed varieties across 61 crops, including 34 field crops (cereals, pulses, millets, oilseeds) and 27 horticultural crops (tubers, vegetables, medicinal plants).
- Biofortification is the process of enhancing the nutrient content of crops using conventional breeding, agronomic techniques or modern biotechnology.
- It helps increase vitamin and mineral levels in staple crops.
