Nutritional insecurity poses a significant global threat, particularly among populations heavily reliant on cereal-based diets lacking essential nutrients. Millets, predominant in African and Asian climate characterized by semi-arid conditions and susceptibility to drought, emerge as primary energy sources with superior nutritional profiles rich in essential amino acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals. The proven economic feasibility of biofortification in millets offers a promising solution to combat malnutrition in India. Acknowledging the potential, HarvestPlus introduced high-iron pearl millet in India as a measure to alleviate iron deficiency. Advancements in molecular techniques have uncovered waxy starch traits in diverse millet varieties, thereby improving their suitability. Moreover, scientists have elucidated genes linked to protein quality in finger millet. Furthermore, recent innovations in transgenic methods for expressing zinc transporters have revealed calcium sensor genes in finger millet. This article discusses strategies to expedite millet biofortification, outlining opportunities and challenges to enhance macro and micronutrient bioavailability.
Medha Deepa Nayak
Faculty of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, C.V. Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (752 054), India
Bhanu Prasant Sahoo
Deviparna Rath
Nimain Charan Pradhan
Arpita Priyadarshini
Dibya Pal
Ajit Kumar Basantiya
Jyoti Prakash Sahoo*
Nayak, M.D., Sahoo, B.P., Rath, D., Pradhan, N.C., Priyadarshini, A., Pal, D., Basantiya, A.K., Sahoo, J.P., 2024. Feeding India’s Future: Unlocking the potential of biofortified millets. Biotica Research Today 6(4), 152-155.
Anushree, R.K., Durgapal, S., Meenal, Yadav, L., 2023. Biofortification of Millets: A way to ensure nutritional security. In: Millets - Rediscover Ancient Grains. (Eds.) Yadav, L. and Upsana. IntechOpen. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.113971.
Hariprasanna, K., 2023. Biofortified millets to alleviate micronutrient malnourishment. Indian Farming 73(1), 84‑87.
Kayastha, S., Sahoo, J.P., Mahapatra, M., Panda, N., 2023. Understanding the molecular breeding and omics approaches for finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) improvement towards a global sustainable nutritional security. Crop Design 3(1), 100049. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropd.2023.100049.
Vinoth, A., Ravindhran, R., 2017. Biofortification in millets: A sustainable approach for nutritional security. Frontiers in Plant Science 8, 29. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00029.
Yadava, D.K., Choudhury, P.R., Hossain, F., Kumar, D., Mohapatra, T., 2017. Biofortified Varieties: Sustainable Way to Alleviate Malnutrition. Third Edition. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. p. 86.