Biofortification of Staple Crops

The book "Biofortification of Staple Crops: Present Status, Approaches, and Challenges" is a comprehensive resource that discusses the biofortification of staple crops, highlighting the importance of micronutrients for human health, the historical development of biofortification, current strategies, crop-specific efforts, and breeding approaches. It addresses malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and the link between agricultural production and human nutrition, emphasizing the need for nutrition-sensitive diets. The book is a valuable tool for researchers, academics, extension personnel, policymakers, students, and stakeholders involved in agriculture, nutrition, and health sectors.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 549 pages
Publication date: 11 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This edited book is a comprehensive resource that brings together detailed information on various aspects of biofortification, a crucial strategy aimed at enhancing the nutritional content of staple crops. It delves into the current state of food and nutritional security, emphasizing the vital role of micronutrients in human health. The book provides a historical overview of biofortification, highlighting its origins and advancements. It also explores current approaches and challenges in biofortification, including crop-specific efforts and innovative breeding techniques, such as conventional breeding and genomics-enabled improvement.

Furthermore, the book elucidates the effectiveness of biofortification, bioavailability, and the future prospects of this field. It serves as an invaluable source of knowledge on micronutrients in crops of global significance.

Malnutrition remains a severe global concern, affecting millions of individuals, leading to micronutrient deficiencies and contributing to obesity among adults. Despite significant economic progress, regions like South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa continue to face undernourishment, with hidden hunger and nutrition-related health issues prevalent. Women and preschool children are particularly vulnerable to these challenges. While global food production has witnessed substantial growth, estimates suggest that over 60% of the world's population lacks essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, iodine, and selenium, often resulting in health problems and developmental delays.

Recognizing the interconnectedness between agricultural production and human nutrition and health is paramount for ensuring nutrition security. Extensive research has been conducted to evaluate genetic diversity related to micro-nutrients in staple crops, assess their bioavailability, and evaluate the efficacy of biofortified germplasm. Through conventional breeding, biofortified varieties have been developed in various crops, aimed at reducing micronutrient deficiencies.

In conclusion, this edited book is a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in biofortification. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current status, challenges, and opportunities in biofortification, emphasizing the importance of micronutrients in human health and nutrition security. By leveraging innovative breeding techniques and conventional approaches, biofortification has the potential to address global malnutrition and improve the well-being of millions of people.

Weight: 860g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811632822
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022