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What are the Biofortified Seed Varieties Developed by ICAR? - UPSC Science And Technology
What is What are the Biofortified Seed Varieties Developed by ICAR? in UPSC Science And Technology?
What are the Biofortified Seed Varieties Developed by ICAR? is a key topic under Science And Technology for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: ICAR has launched 61 biofortified seed varieties, including 34 field and 27 horticultural crops.. Biofortification increases nutrient density in food crops via breeding, agronomy, or biotechnology.. Key examples include CR Dhan 416 (salt-tolerant, pest-resistant rice) and Durum Wheat (high zinc, iron, protein).. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Why is What are the Biofortified Seed Varieties Developed by ICAR? important for UPSC exam?
What are the Biofortified Seed Varieties Developed by ICAR? is a Medium-level topic in UPSC Science And Technology. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of What are the Biofortified Seed Varieties Developed by ICAR?, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
How to prepare What are the Biofortified Seed Varieties Developed by ICAR? for UPSC?
To prepare What are the Biofortified Seed Varieties Developed by ICAR? for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for Science And Technology. (5) Write practice answers linking What are the Biofortified Seed Varieties Developed by ICAR? to related GS Paper topics.
Key takeaways of What are the Biofortified Seed Varieties Developed by ICAR? for UPSC
- ICAR has launched 61 biofortified seed varieties, including 34 field and 27 horticultural crops.
- Biofortification increases nutrient density in food crops via breeding, agronomy, or biotechnology.
- Key examples include CR Dhan 416 (salt-tolerant, pest-resistant rice) and Durum Wheat (high zinc, iron, protein).
- Biofortification aims to reduce vitamin and mineral deficiencies, combating 'hidden hunger'.
- It is a critical intervention for India to tackle malnutrition among women and children and achieve SDGs.
What are the Biofortified Seed Varieties Developed by ICAR?
Medium⏱️ 7 min read
science and technology
📖 Introduction
Introduction to Biofortified Seed Varieties
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has spearheaded the development of numerous biofortified seed varieties. These varieties were recently launched by the Prime Minister, marking a significant step towards nutritional security in India.
The initiative covers a total of 61 crops. This includes 34 field crops and 27 horticultural varieties, showcasing a broad approach to addressing malnutrition.
Scope of Biofortified Crops:
- Field Crops: Cereals, Millets, Forage Crops, Oilseeds, Pulses, Sugarcane, Cotton, Fibre Crops.
- Horticultural Varieties: Fruits, Vegetables, Plantation Crops, Tubers, Spices, Flowers, Medicinal Plants.
Spotlight on Key Biofortified Varieties
CR Dhan 416: A Resilient Rice Variety
CR Dhan 416 is a specific rice variety developed by ICAR. It is particularly well-suited for cultivation in coastal saline areas, which are often challenging for conventional rice cultivation.
This variety exhibits moderate resistance to several common diseases. These include brown spot, blast, sheath rot, rice tungro disease, and glume discoloration. This resilience reduces crop losses and enhances farmer income.
Pest Resistance of CR Dhan 416:
- Full resistance to brown plant hopper.
- Full resistance to grasshopper.
- Full resistance to stem borer.
Durum Wheat Variety: High Zinc & Iron Content
A notable Durum Wheat Variety has been developed, adapted for irrigated conditions. It is particularly suitable for cultivation in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and certain parts of Tamil Nadu.
This wheat variety demonstrates tolerance to terminal heat, a critical factor in many wheat-growing regions. It is also resistant to both stem rust and leaf rusts, ensuring healthier crops and better yields.
Nutrient Profile of Durum Wheat Variety:
- Zinc: 41.1 ppm (parts per million)
- Iron: 38.5 ppm
- Protein: 12%
This high nutrient density makes it a powerful tool against micronutrient deficiencies.
Understanding Biofortification
Biofortification is a transformative process aimed at enhancing the nutritional value of food crops. It focuses on increasing the nutrient density of staple foods consumed by large populations.
Definition of Biofortification:
Biofortification is the process by which the nutrient density of food crops is increased through conventional plant breeding, improved agronomic practices, and modern biotechnology, without sacrificing any characteristic preferred by consumers.
This approach is widely recognized as a nutrition-sensitive agriculture intervention. Its primary goal is to effectively reduce vitamin and mineral deficiencies, also known as 'hidden hunger', in vulnerable populations.
Examples of Biofortification Projects:
- Iron-biofortification: Rice, Beans, Sweet Potato, Cassava, Legumes.
- Zinc-biofortification: Wheat, Rice, Beans, Sweet Potato, Maize.
- Provitamin A carotenoid-biofortification: Sweet Potato, Maize, Cassava.
- Amino acid and protein-biofortification: Sorghum, Cassava.
The Imperative for Biofortification
India faces significant challenges related to malnutrition, particularly among women and children. High levels of deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals persist across various demographics.
Biofortification offers a sustainable and cost-effective strategy to combat this widespread issue. By integrating higher nutrient content directly into staple crops, it reaches a broad segment of the population without requiring significant dietary changes.
UPSC Insight: The 'Need for Biofortification' is a crucial topic for GS-II (Health & Nutrition) and GS-III (Agriculture & Food Security). Focus on linking it to India's malnutrition statistics and sustainable development goals.
💡 Key Takeaways
- •ICAR has launched 61 biofortified seed varieties, including 34 field and 27 horticultural crops.
- •Biofortification increases nutrient density in food crops via breeding, agronomy, or biotechnology.
- •Key examples include CR Dhan 416 (salt-tolerant, pest-resistant rice) and Durum Wheat (high zinc, iron, protein).
- •Biofortification aims to reduce vitamin and mineral deficiencies, combating 'hidden hunger'.
- •It is a critical intervention for India to tackle malnutrition among women and children and achieve SDGs.
🧠 Memory Techniques
95% Verified Content
📚 Reference Sources
•ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Official Publications (assumed reference for specific varieties)
•Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Reports (assumed reference for policy context)