Context:

Recently, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi unveiled 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified varieties of crops at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi. 

More in the News:

• Lab-to-Land Program: This event is a prime example of the lab-to-land initiative, linking research directly to farming practices.
• Value Addition in Agriculture: This initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability in India.
• It will help farmers reduce costs and increase their income.
• Climate-Friendly Seeds: This newly released seeds are designed to thrive even in adverse weather conditions, ensuring better yields.

Biofortification: 

• It is the process by which the nutrient density of crops is increased through breeding, agronomy, or biotechnology without sacrificing any characteristic that is preferred by consumers or most importantly by farmers.
• It is recognized as a nutrition-sensitive-agriculture intervention that can reduce vitamin and mineral deficiency 
• For example, iron-biofortification of rice, beans, sweet potato, cassava and legumes; while zinc-biofortification of wheat, rice, beans, sweet potato and maize etc.

About High-Yielding Varieties:

• Diverse Crop Varieties: 109 varieties of crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) were released, these varieties are applicable to 61 crops, including 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops.
• Focus on Nutrition: These biofortified varieties aim to improve nutritional quality, address dietary deficiencies and promote healthier food choices.
• Farmer Engagement Initiatives: PM Modi proposed that agricultural experts engage with farmers monthly to discuss current agricultural challenges and foster collaborative solutions.