Biofortification of Staple Crops to Eradicate Hidden Hunger: A Review

Abstract

There is a very close association between humans’ beings and the enormous wealth of plants on this green planet. Amid the large floral diversity, numerous plants have been used for exclusive purposes, most notably the food. Though many staple crop plants and vegetables are rich sources of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to meet hunger and require nourishment, they invariably lack some of the essential minerals and vitamins vital for the ideal growth of a human being. Globally, a large portion of the populace is facing ‘hidden hunger’ attributable to the deficit of certain minerals and vitamins in their routine diet because most of the staple food and fodder are deficient in any specific essential nutrients and vitamins. To meet this problem, people have used many approaches and developed new methods to improve staple crops. Biofortification is one such method which the researchers with great success extensively use. In this attempt, various tactics of biofortification have been reviewed. The review also conferred which biofortification was achieved in many staple food crops and their applicability and limitations at the global level.