“Growing Focus on Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture and Food Security”
- One prominent trend in the Middle East and Africa Biofortification Market is the growing focus on nutrition-sensitive agriculture and regional food security enhancement.
- This trend is driven by increasing malnutrition rates, micronutrient deficiencies (especially iron, zinc, and vitamin A), and government and NGO initiatives promoting biofortified crops as a sustainable, cost-effective solution to hidden hunger.
For instance, organizations like HarvestPlus and local agricultural research institutions such as the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) are working to scale up biofortified crops like vitamin A maize and iron-rich beans through farmer outreach and seed distribution.
- The integration of biofortification into national nutrition and agricultural strategies is gaining momentum, encouraging collaborations between public agencies, NGOs, and private seed companies.
As more countries prioritize food security and health-centric agricultural models, biofortification is increasingly recognized as a strategic tool to deliver essential nutrients through staple crops and reduce dependence on external supplementation programs.
