Context
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI) has highlighted Kufri Jamunia, a biofortified purple potato variety released in 2024. Its enhanced vitamin, antioxidant and micronutrient content offers a potential solution to hidden hunger and nutritional deficiencies.
Explanation
- Hidden hunger occurs when people consume sufficient calories but lack essential vitamins and minerals.
- Biofortification improves the nutritional content of crops through plant breeding, unlike food fortification, which adds nutrients during processing.
- ICAR-CPRI, headquartered in Shimla, develops improved potato varieties with higher nutritional value and productivity.
- Its coloured potato varieties include Kufri Neelkanth (2018), Kufri Manik (2021) and Kufri Jamunia (2024).
- Kufri Jamunia has purple skin and flesh containing anthocyanins, natural pigments with antioxidant properties.
- It also contains Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), carotenoids, iron and zinc, supporting nutritional security.
- The variety produces approximately 32–35 tonnes per hectare, with good storage quality and low rottage.
- Recommended for the North Indian plains, it combines improved nutrition with agricultural productivity.
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