Lok Sabha Question No. 1753 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Biofortified Rice and Wheat
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri P C Mohan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1753

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## BIOFORTIFIED RICE AND WHEAT

1753.  SHRI P C MOHAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि  और  ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  new  varieties  of  rice  and  wheat  released  in  recent  years  have  been biofortified with iron, zinc or other micronutrients and if so, the research undertaken by ICAR and allied institutions in this regard;
- (b) whether  any  similar  biofortified  varieties  are  available  or  under  development  for maize, ragi and other millets;
- (c) whether these varieties offer agronomic or income advantages to farmers, including yield, climate resilience or market value;
- (d) the steps taken to create awareness among farmers and promote their adoption;
- (e) the percentage of area under biofortified crop cultivation in Karnataka at present and the States leading in their promotion; and
- (f) whether such crops are being integrated into nutrition programmes such as POSHAN Abhiyaan and PM-POSHAN to improve dietary outcomes?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a) to (c): Yes, National Agricultural Research System under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 73 biofortified varieties of wheat (rich in iron and zinc and/or protein) and 15 of rice (rich in zinc and/or protein) during last ten years. Research on crop biofortification  is  undertaken  under  the  ICAR  -  Consortium  Research Platform on Biofortification alongwith other inhouse and externally funded projects, which has led to release of 117 other biofortified varieties/hybrids [barley (1), maize (43); ragi (7),

pearl millet (15), little millet  (2),  proso millet  (1),  foxtail  millet  (1),  sorghum  (1),  lentil  (3), chickpea (1), faba bean (1), mustard (9), soybean (8), groundnut (3), gobhi sarson (1)] and 20 of horticultural crops [sweet potato (5), potato (4), greater yam (2), Amaranthus (3), okra (1), cauliflower (1), grape (1), pomegranate (1), banana (1), guava (1)] during 2014 to till now.

These cultivars have been improved for essential nutrients viz., iron, zinc, calcium, protein,  lysine,  tryptophan,  pro-vitamin-A  and  E,  anthocyanin,  vitamin-C,  oleic  acid  and linoleic acid. The  concentration of several anti-nutritional factors viz., erucic acid, glucosinolates, phytic acid and trypsin inhibitor has also been significantly reduced in some of the cultivars and off-flavor of soybean grains. These biofortified cultivars with balanced concentration of nutrients are also high yielding and climate resilient; thus ideal for meeting country's food and nutrition security. Apart from quality traits, all these varieties are having one or more traits for various biotic and/or abiotic stresses with equal or better yield to their conventional counterparts.

(d): Various steps have been taken for creation of awareness and adoption of biofortified varieties through including them in frontline demonstrations (FLDs) and cluster front line demonstration  (CFLD),  mini  kits  under  National  Food  Security  and  Nutrition  Mission (NFSNM) of Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare conducted by ICAR Institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and State Department of Agriculture.  Awareness about biofortified varieties and their advantages is made regularly through field days, training programmes, Kisan Melas, doordarshan, radio, pamphlets, bulletins, print and electronic media. Hon'ble Prime Minister dedicated the biofortified varieties to the nation during three mega farmers' programmes on 16 October, 2020 (World Food Day), 28 September, 2021 and 11 August, 2024 and interacted with  the  farmers;  which  created  mass  awareness  about  biofortified varieties.

During the last five years, 62,793.0 quintals of breeder seed of various biofortified varieties  was  produced and supplied by ICAR to various public and private sector seed producing agencies for supply to the farmers. For faster seed delivery >1500 memorandum of agreement (MoUs) have been signed with more than 300 private seed companies for seed production and marketing of biofortified varieties.

(e): Based on the breeder seed indents and their downstream multiplication to foundation and certified seed, Karnataka has an estimated area of 0.35 lakh ha under biofortified crops, comprising wheat, proso millet and groundnut.

(f): Biofortified crops, including nutrient-rich millets are integrated into national nutritionsupport programs such as POSHAN Abhiyaan and PM-POSHAN. Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution under Wheat Based Nutrition  Programme (WBNP) and Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) is emphasizing on the supply of millets for preparation of Hot Cooked Meal (HCM) and Take Home Rations (THR) at Anganwadis for pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls and children below 6 years of age, as millets are highly nutritious and are known to have  high  nutrient  content  which  includes  protein,  essential  fatty  acid,  dietary  fibre,  BVitamins,  minerals  such  as  calcium,  iron,  zinc,  folic  acid  and  other  micro-nutrients  thus helping to tackle anaemia and other micro-nutrient deficiencies common among women and children.

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