Paper: GS – III, Subject: Science and Technology, Topic: Bio Technology, Issue: Bio-fortified potatoes.
Context:
The Indian agricultural landscape is poised to welcome a new entrant: bio-fortified potatoes enriched with iron. This development, spearheaded by the International Potato Center (CIP), promises to address iron deficiency, a prevalent nutritional challenge in India.
Key Takeaways:
What is Bio fortification:
- Bio fortification refers to the process of increasing the nutritional value of crops during the growth stage through breeding techniques or biotechnology.
- Unlike fortification, which adds nutrients to food during processing, bio fortification enhances the nutrient content in crops themselves.
Examples of bio fortified crops?
Some notable examples of bio fortified crops include:
- Golden Rice: Rich in Vitamin A to combat deficiency-related blindness.
- Iron-Fortified Pearl Millet: Reduces anemia and supports better growth in children.
- Zinc-Enriched Wheat: Addresses zinc deficiency, boosting immunity.
- Pro-Vitamin a Cassava: Enhances Vitamin A intake in regions reliant on cassava as a staple.
- Beta-Carotene Maize: Increases Vitamin A levels in diets.
Benefits of Bio Fortified Potatoes:
Conclusion:
- The collaboration between the CIP and ICAR, along with the existing success of bio-fortified sweet potatoes, provides a strong foundation for the successful adoption and widespread cultivation of these nutrient-enriched crops.
- As these bio-fortified potatoes become available in the market, they hold the potential to make a substantial contribution to improving the nutritional status and overall well-being of the Indian population.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
â—‰ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
â—‰ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
â—‰ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
