Biofortification as a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition in the global south with a focus on Sri Lanka: potential, challenges, and policy implications
Abstract Micronutrient malnutrition remains a critical challenge in the Global South, particularly in Sri Lanka, where vulnerable populations face food insecurity and limited dietary diversity. This review examines biofortification as a sustainable strategy to address these deficiencies, using Sri L...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Discover Food |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00381-y |
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| author | Hasitha Priyashantha M. S. Kurukulasuriya C. S. Ranadheera Shishanthi Jayarathna J. K. Vidanarachchi |
| author_facet | Hasitha Priyashantha M. S. Kurukulasuriya C. S. Ranadheera Shishanthi Jayarathna J. K. Vidanarachchi |
| author_sort | Hasitha Priyashantha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Micronutrient malnutrition remains a critical challenge in the Global South, particularly in Sri Lanka, where vulnerable populations face food insecurity and limited dietary diversity. This review examines biofortification as a sustainable strategy to address these deficiencies, using Sri Lanka as a case study. Biofortification, through agronomic practices, traditional breeding, and genetic engineering, offers a solution to enhance the nutritional quality of staple crops by increasing levels of essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin A. Given the prominence of rice in the Sri Lankan diet, fortifying native aromatic rice varieties with these micronutrients is emphasized. The potential of biofortifying other staples such as pulses, soybean, maize, and cassava is also explored, addressing diverse agroecological contexts. While highlighting challenges such as economic, cultural, and adoption barriers, the article advocates for biofortification as a key element of a comprehensive nutrition security strategy. The importance of consumer awareness, dietary guidelines, and integrated policy frameworks is underscored to promote the widespread adoption of biofortified crops. Policymakers are urged to prioritize biofortification initiatives within broader nutrition security agendas, offering a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition and promote resilience in the Global South. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9d5fc86616d24a8a8972ea6a26733c65 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2731-4286 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Food |
| spelling | doaj-art-9d5fc86616d24a8a8972ea6a26733c652025-08-20T02:15:15ZengSpringerDiscover Food2731-42862025-05-015112610.1007/s44187-025-00381-yBiofortification as a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition in the global south with a focus on Sri Lanka: potential, challenges, and policy implicationsHasitha Priyashantha0M. S. Kurukulasuriya1C. S. Ranadheera2Shishanthi Jayarathna3J. K. Vidanarachchi4Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa UniversitySchool of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty Science, The University of MelbourneDepartment of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of PeradeniyaAbstract Micronutrient malnutrition remains a critical challenge in the Global South, particularly in Sri Lanka, where vulnerable populations face food insecurity and limited dietary diversity. This review examines biofortification as a sustainable strategy to address these deficiencies, using Sri Lanka as a case study. Biofortification, through agronomic practices, traditional breeding, and genetic engineering, offers a solution to enhance the nutritional quality of staple crops by increasing levels of essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin A. Given the prominence of rice in the Sri Lankan diet, fortifying native aromatic rice varieties with these micronutrients is emphasized. The potential of biofortifying other staples such as pulses, soybean, maize, and cassava is also explored, addressing diverse agroecological contexts. While highlighting challenges such as economic, cultural, and adoption barriers, the article advocates for biofortification as a key element of a comprehensive nutrition security strategy. The importance of consumer awareness, dietary guidelines, and integrated policy frameworks is underscored to promote the widespread adoption of biofortified crops. Policymakers are urged to prioritize biofortification initiatives within broader nutrition security agendas, offering a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition and promote resilience in the Global South. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00381-yMicronutrientMalnutritionBiofortificationGlobal SouthFortification |
| spellingShingle | Hasitha Priyashantha M. S. Kurukulasuriya C. S. Ranadheera Shishanthi Jayarathna J. K. Vidanarachchi Biofortification as a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition in the global south with a focus on Sri Lanka: potential, challenges, and policy implications Discover Food Micronutrient Malnutrition Biofortification Global South Fortification |
| title | Biofortification as a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition in the global south with a focus on Sri Lanka: potential, challenges, and policy implications |
| title_full | Biofortification as a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition in the global south with a focus on Sri Lanka: potential, challenges, and policy implications |
| title_fullStr | Biofortification as a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition in the global south with a focus on Sri Lanka: potential, challenges, and policy implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biofortification as a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition in the global south with a focus on Sri Lanka: potential, challenges, and policy implications |
| title_short | Biofortification as a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition in the global south with a focus on Sri Lanka: potential, challenges, and policy implications |
| title_sort | biofortification as a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition in the global south with a focus on sri lanka potential challenges and policy implications |
| topic | Micronutrient Malnutrition Biofortification Global South Fortification |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00381-y |
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