Biofortification of Vegetable Crops: A Mechanism to Optimize a Hidden Hunger

Abstract

Malnutrition, or “hidden hunger,” affects nearly 2 billion people globally, posing serious challenges to public health, development, and economic growth. Unlike hunger caused by caloric deficiency, hidden hunger results from a lack of essential micronutrients. Bio fortification a strategy involving the breeding of nutrient-rich crop varieties offers a sustainable, cost-effective, and long-term solution. By enhancing levels of micronutrients such as iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A in staple crops, bio fortification plays a vital role in improving nutritional security, particularly among rural populations in developing countries. Crop bio fortification, achieved through agronomic practices, conventional breeding and genetic engineering, is a promising approach to addressing hidden hunger. Among various strategies, bio fortification in vegetable crops stands out as the most sustainable and widely acceptable. Vegetables are vital to human nutrition, being rich sources of phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Enhancing their nutrient content offers an effective and long-term solution to improve dietary quality and combat micronutrient deficiencies globally. This review highlights the current status of hidden hunger and explores various biofortification strategies to combat micronutrient deficiencies. It also discusses the potential of biofortification in reducing antinutritional factors in vegetables, thereby enhancing their nutritional value and promoting better health outcomes.