Iron-rich rice, protein wheat and fortified millets part of push to tackle India’s hidden hungerNEW DELHI: With nearly 67% of Indian children and more than half of women suffering from anaemia, Indian agricultural scientists have developed 203 biofortified crop varieties enriched with iron, zinc, protein and vitamins in an attempt to fight malnutrition through everyday food staples.The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in a new report released this year, said the nutrient-rich varieties developed between 2014 and 2025 include iron-rich rice, protein-rich wheat, zinc-enriched maize and fortified millets aimed at improving nutrition without requiring people to change food habits.According to figures cited in the report, 67.1% of children aged 6-59 months and over 57% women aged 15-49 years in India are anaemic, while the country continues to face a serious burden of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. The report said India also faces widespread “hidden hunger” caused by deficiencies of essential micronutrients such as iron and zinc.The publication, Biofortified Crop Varieties: Sustainable Way to Alleviate Malnutrition, states that the crops were developed through conventional and molecular breeding methods to naturally increase nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, protein and vitamin-A.ICAR said India has so far developed 70 biofortified wheat varieties, 43 maize varieties, 18 pearl millet varieties and 16 rice varieties, along with nutrient-rich pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and fruits.The push for nutrient-rich crops comes amid the launch of the SEHAT (Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation) mission by Union health minister J.P. Nadda and Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, with ICMR and ICAR seeking to link agriculture with nutrition and disease prevention.The report argues that biofortified crops could offer a low-cost and sustainable alternative to supplements and food fortification programmes because nutrients are delivered through foods people consume daily.ICAR director general M.L. Jat said dietary risks now account for 54.6% of India’s disease burden and stressed the need to make the country’s agri-food system more nutrition-sensitive.Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said India had achieved record foodgrain production of 357.7 million tonnes in 2024-25, but added that improving nutritional quality was equally important for food security.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFormer TMC Minister Sujit Bose Arrested By ED In Municipality Recruitment ‘Scam’PM Modi Slams Destination Weddings Abroad, Urges Indians To Avoid Foreign Travel’Voted For Whistle’: MDMK Chief Vaiko’s House Helps’ Meeting With CM Vijay Goes ViralRahul Slams PM Modi’s Crisis Appeal | NIA Probes Bengaluru Security Scare IntensifyTMC Leaders Turn On I-PAC After Bengal Poll Rout, Raise Explosive Claims Against FirmAfter PM Modi’s ‘Save Oil’ Appeal, Rajnath Singh Chairs Key Energy Security Review Meeting’Deeply Shocking’: TVK Ally Questions Vijay Over Vande Mataram Priority At Oath CeremonyTVK Blames Governor’s Office As Tamil Anthem Row Explodes After Vijay’s Oath CeremonySC Asks Mamata To File Fresh Pleas Regarding Victory Margin Being Less Than SIR DeletionsCM Vijay Meets MK Stalin Amid Treasury Row, Fuels Buzz Over Tamil Nadu’s Political Reset123PhotostoriesIs hantavirus the next COVID? WHO director-general flags key pointers10 baby boy names inspired by the galaxyMorning affirmation at 5 AM: One small shift that changes everythingGold price inflation: Trending alternatives to traditional gold jewellery in 2026Ripe vs Raw Papaya: Which has more nutrition and 5 ways to consume them during summerWhy Kumar Vishwas doesn’t keep these 2 things in his kitchen and shares his Aloo Tamatar Sabzi recipe10 wise quotes by Sudha Murty on love, life and marriageThese 10 daily habits could be the real reason you feel tired, stuck, and brokeAishwarya to Tara: Indian celebrities expected to shine at Cannes Film Festival 20265 stunning flowering plants that can cause Hay Fever123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultModi on buying goldOil prices todayPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingRCBYesterday Match ResultIPL Points TableUS Iran warTilak VarmaChandranath Rath MurderIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitPM Modi WFHPBKS vs DC Match Preview
Iron-rich rice, protein wheat and fortified millets part of push to tackle India’s hidden hungerNEW DELHI: With nearly 67% of Indian children and more than half of women suffering from anaemia, Indian agricultural scientists have developed 203 biofortified crop varieties enriched with iron, zinc, protein and vitamins in an attempt to fight malnutrition through everyday food staples.The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in a new report released this year, said the nutrient-rich varieties developed between 2014 and 2025 include iron-rich rice, protein-rich wheat, zinc-enriched maize and fortified millets aimed at improving nutrition without requiring people to change food habits.According to figures cited in the report, 67.1% of children aged 6-59 months and over 57% women aged 15-49 years in India are anaemic, while the country continues to face a serious burden of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. The report said India also faces widespread “hidden hunger” caused by deficiencies of essential micronutrients such as iron and zinc.The publication, Biofortified Crop Varieties: Sustainable Way to Alleviate Malnutrition, states that the crops were developed through conventional and molecular breeding methods to naturally increase nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, protein and vitamin-A.ICAR said India has so far developed 70 biofortified wheat varieties, 43 maize varieties, 18 pearl millet varieties and 16 rice varieties, along with nutrient-rich pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and fruits.The push for nutrient-rich crops comes amid the launch of the SEHAT (Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation) mission by Union health minister J.P. Nadda and Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, with ICMR and ICAR seeking to link agriculture with nutrition and disease prevention.The report argues that biofortified crops could offer a low-cost and sustainable alternative to supplements and food fortification programmes because nutrients are delivered through foods people consume daily.ICAR director general M.L. Jat said dietary risks now account for 54.6% of India’s disease burden and stressed the need to make the country’s agri-food system more nutrition-sensitive.Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said India had achieved record foodgrain production of 357.7 million tonnes in 2024-25, but added that improving nutritional quality was equally important for food security.
