Staple food crops biofortification vital to combat hidden hunger

By Wasundara Rathnaweera

Hunger kills more people than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. But, on the other hand, hidden hunger is also becoming a significant threat to the people, specially those who are living in developing countries such as Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is important to seek possible ways to eradicate this problem to have a healthy population.

Prof Pushparajah Thavarajah, a researcher with international experience in North America, Africa and Asia, former Professor at North Dakota State University and also a visiting lecturer in Wayamba University and University of Peradeniya, explains the significance of biofortification as a solution to combat hidden hunger.

Excerpts....

Question: What is hidden hunger?

Answer: "Hidden hunger" is lack of essential micronutrients in the most commonly eaten foods. Although we have a surplus of energy rich foods, their micronutrient concentrations are extremely low.

On top of that, those micronutrients that are present at very low concentrations also may not be bioavailable.

Therefore, consumption of energy dense foods will not only create micronutrients deficiency but also energy over-nutrition. Combination of both could be considered as "Hidden Hunger".

Q: Why does it matter so much? What are the complications occurred due to hidden hunger?

A: It is estimated more than half of global populations are facing one or more micronutrient deficiencies. Equal number of people are on the verge of becoming overweight or obese.

Low income populations are facing the micronutrient deficiency and middle to high income populations are facing the obesity problem.

Iron and zinc deficiencies are the most prevalent deficiencies in most of global populations including many Sri Lankans.

Women and young children are the most vulnerable groups for these nutrient deficiencies specially when most commonly eaten foods are devoid of these essential nutrients.

Women and young children need these nutrients because of their physiological and growth requirements.

Lack of these nutrients in daily diets will lead to iron deficiency, anaemia, physical and metal growth retardation, stunting (shortness) and many more health complications.

Q: What are the causes for hidden hunger?

A: Simply lack or absence of essential micronutrients in the most commonly eaten foods is the main cause. With increasing Sri Lankans' income and lifestyle changes Sri Lankans are moving towards calorie-densed western foods.

Unfortunately, most of these foods are devoid of essential micronutrients. Continue to shift consumption towards calorie rich diets could create severity of micronutrient deficiencies or "hidden hunger".

Q: What may be the reasons for concentrating many victims in developing countries in Asian and African regions, including Sri Lanka?

A: Traditional economic theories may argue income disparity between rich - few and poor - mass as a reason for this problem. To support this argument there may be correlations at country level with the level of income and severity of micronutrient deficiencies.

That is poor people will have less access to nutrient rich diverse foods.

However, rich people in low-income countries are also facing double burden of malnutrition: energy over nutrition and micronutrient deficiency. Therefore, the problem lies with our current food systems. Whether it is a rich or poor country, we presently produce abundance of energy rich food with less nutrient value.

Q: What are the possible ways to overcome this problem?

A: There are three things we all need to pay attention to overcome the problem; first, identifying that we have a problem on human nutrition at population levels, second, research and development towards producing nutrient rich foods, and finally, most importantly, consumer education of nutritious food choices.

To overcome the hidden hunger, there are a few possible ways widely used in the present world. The best way is dietary diversification, or simply taking variety of foods.

However, price and the availability appear to be major limitations in diversifying the diets. Fortification or direct micronutrient addition to the food is another solution. Iodized salt is one good example. But all foods cannot be fortified with all nutrients.

Q: What is Biofortification?

A: Biofortification is "enrichment of nutrient content of the most commonly eaten foods using conventional plant breeding and modern biotechnology tools".

International Food Policy Research Institute - Harvest Plus organisation is leading global biofortification efforts.

In Sri Lanka, Wayamba University is preparing a program with other universities, agriculture and private sector partners to support Sri Lankan biofortification effort.

Q: Is it scientifically possible to breed food crops to higher nutrient contents?

A: Yes. Harvest Plus has already developed and released sweet potato varieties rich in vitamin A. Sweet potato is a daily part of many African countries. Recent research from the USA and Canada shows that lentil (dhal) is naturally biofortified with iron, zinc and selenium. Lentil is part of daily diets of majority of Sri Lankans and consumption of biofortified lentil is certainly a nutritional benefit to Sri Lanka.

The development of other foods rich in micronutrient is an urgent task and it is a possibility with focused efforts.

We think Sri Lanka has talent and resources to do this task.

Q: What are the possible staple food crops grown in Sri Lanka, which can be biofortified and what are the feasible nutrients to biofortify them?

A: Rice, legumes, and vegetables are the major staples. On our experience legumes like lentils, chick pea, pea, beans and soy beans could be the target crops for biofortication efforts in Sri Lanka. In addition, selection of traditional rice varieties rich in mineral micronutrients such as iron and zinc, and incorporation of those lines into breeding new lines could be short term feasibility.

Q: What are the other biofortified food crops grown all over the world?

A: Sweet potato, pearl millet, rice, cassava, beans are some food crops with biofortification, grown over the world.

Q: Is biofortification cost effective?

A: A study conducted by a panel of economist including the Nobel Prize winners concluded that biofortification is the most cost effective method to deliver essential nutrients at population level. This method is not only cost effective, but also biofortified foods could be sustainable method to deliver essential nutrients to all groups in a population

Q: What are the benefits of biofortification over the conventional fortification and supplementation, as a solution for hidden hunger?

A: Biofortification is a one-time investment to develop new varieties rich in essential micronutrients. Once it is developed and disseminated to the farmers no further investment is needed.

However, fortification and supplementation need continuous investment. Although fortification and supplementation provide nutritional benefits, social-cultural and other infrastructural factors may be barriers to deliver nutrients all population groups.

Q: Since there is an involvement of modern biotechnology, there can be some controversial issues and low level of consumer acceptability for these crop products, specially in countries such as Sri Lanka. What can you say about the safety of the biofortified foods?

A: Most of biofortified crops were developed by conventional breeding methods. We can assure that lentil (dhal) was fully developed by traditional methods. This was a very important part.

We, as researchers and developers need to understand consumer concerns about newer technologies. Ultimately, what we produce should have an appeal to all consumers.

As far as we know, all or most of biofortified crops released so far were developed using conventional plant breeding methods.

Biotechnological tools could be used to identify plant varieties with rich nutrient profiles.

In this situation we can say use of biotechnology as an enabling technology for new varietal development.

Therefore, we do not see any consumer safety concerns by using biotechnology tools to discover nutritional traits that we must have in newer plant varieties to deliver nutrients.

Q: What are the obstacles that arise when producing and disseminating biofortified food crops?

A: Educating consumers, policy makers and political decision makers has been a barrier. People want solutions to their nutritional problems, policy makers are looking for ways to implement intended solutions and political decision makers are trying to make the best decision with limited resources.

As a country, Sri Lanka could be rapidly developed by having healthier populations.

This is not only essential for development but also as a right for healthy living. So, all educators, media and other information channels need to start a dialogue toward finding a solution to Sri Lanka's nutrition problems.

Q: Considering all facts, what is your idea on 'suitability of biofortified crops to Sri Lanka'?

A: Sri Lanka is blessed with different agro-climatological regions to grow large number of crops throughout the year.

Theoretically, we can target any crop. But, in the short term and agricultural sustainability, we can suggest to target legume and vegetable crops biofortification efforts.

Q: What is your message to Sri Lankans?

A: Sri Lankans are generally well-educated, able to read and write, and willing to find ways to improve nutrition.

Sri Lanka also has its own pool of talented scientists, resources and infrastructure to develop anything it wants to develop.

If we look back at the green revolution era of the past 30-40 years, Sri Lanka is one country that succeeded in producing enough rice. Sri Lanka showed that it could produce enough calories to prevent hunger.

Now Sri Lanka should work towards greener revolution - that is to produce foods rich in essential micronutrients to its general population. If we all can achieve this task we will have more healthy people, productive society, and a rapidly developing country.

The writer is a Final Year student of Department of Applied Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka