Consortia Research Platform (CRP)
Rice
Small Millets
Maize
Pearl Millets
Wheat
Millets
About
Biofortification refers to the genetic enhancement of key food crops with enhanced nutrients6. It differs from fortification (addition of exogenous nutrients as in iodized salt) by increasing the nutrients of crops at source through agricultural interventions viz., agronomy, breeding and biotechnology.
Realizing the importance of crop biofortification in achieving the nutritional security of the nation, ICAR has sanctioned a Consortia Research Platform (CRP) to ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), during the plan period of 2014-17 for enhancing the nutritional status of major food crops of the country through biofortification approach targeting rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet and small millets, involving institutes of ICAR, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), state agricultural universities (SAU) and traditional universities, which has been extended to 2017-2020. With the availability of the genotypes and genes as proof of concept for biofortification and considering the significant progress witnessed in several crops with respect to biofortification, the CRP aims at development of cereals biofortified with enhanced β-carotene, quality protein, iron and zinc.
| Crops | Trait and Approach | Institutes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice | zinc, protein (conventional approach)β-carotene, iron, folic acid, low phytate (transgenic approach). | IARI, NRRI, IGKV,TNAU, University of Calcutta. |
| 2 | Wheat | Iron, zinc, protein, low phytate, phytase, and low gluten | IIWBR, IARI-Indore, PAU, CCSHAU, UAS-D,NRCPB,AIIMS,IARI,NII. |
| 3 | Maize | Protein, iron, zinc, B-carotene, phytate | IIMR, IARI, TNAU, CCSHAU, PDP, VPKAS |
| 4 | Sorghum | Iron, Zinc | IIMR,AICSIP-A,AICSIP-R |
| 5 | Small Millets | Iron, Zinc | AICRP (SM),MDRF AICRP-CM |
| 6 | Pearl Millets | Iron, Zinc | AICRP-PM,JAU,CCSHAU,SKRAU (RARI),MPKV,IARI |
Objectives
- Development of crop genotypes with β-carotene, iron, zinc, protein, folic acid, low phytate, phytase and low gluten through conventional and genetic engineering and their evaluation.
- Study of bioavailability and biosafety of developed crop genotypes.
- Gene identification, allele mining and functional genomics for the candidate genes associated with enhanced micronutrient and protein content and reduced phytate content through Next Generation Technologies.
- Development of value added products for ready to cook and multigrain mixtures suitable for mid-day meal schemes.
- Socio-Impact studies for assessment of consumer knowledge, preference and preparedness for biofortified products and sensitization and popularization of biofortified products.
