Biofortification is a process of increasing the nutritional value of any crop by adding required micronutrients like zinc, iron, vitamins etc to it. This can be done in two ways. 

1. Value addition- in this micronutrients are added to the crop before packing. Thats is here the micronutrients are added after harvesting of the crop. 
2. Transgenic crops- in this crops with the micronutrients are grown. This is made with then help of biotechnological methods wherein necessary genes are inserted for the better result.

Prime minister in 2020 had introduced 17 biofortified varieties of crops to the nation.

Why biofortification is done? 

Hidden hunger or malnutrition has become a major health issue which necessitates the need for biofortification. Nowadays we could witness a lot more people are prone to diseases due to lack of immunity in them. This decreasing immunity level in the growing population is also a result of malnutrition.

The global hunger index wherein india has been ranked 101st portends the serious situation of malnutrition in our country. India performed worse than many of its neighbours. According to the index India has the highest child wasting rate. 

Moreover, according to national family health survey, more than 60% of women and children are anemic. The reason for this high rate of anemia seen in our population is due to the lack of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 in our diet. So its high that we resort to some solutions for this perilous state of our country.

Is biofortification the only solution for this?

No. Biofortification is actually only the artificial solution. There are natural solutions for this grave problem.

The foremost solution is to shift to a balanced diet. Then comes the question what is a balanced diet? A balanced diet is a diet that contains different kinds of foods that fulfills a person's nutritional need. In simple diet which contains, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water in required proportions. 

1. Carbohydrates- carbohydrates are are the major source of energy. Our brain depends in source as its fuel for its proper functioning. 
2. Proteins- proteins are required repairing our body tissues, for hormone production etc.
3. Fats - they are stored form of energy. They also offer insulation, protection etc
4.  Vitamins - vitamins itself are of many types and each has its own role. They altogether are required for proper growth, boosting immunity,  help in formation of RBCs, for hone helath etc.
5. Minerals - they also play diversifying roles. They keep our bones and muscles healthy etc.
6. Water- needed for regulating body temperature, proper bodily functions etc.

The second solution for this is diversification of crops. Balanced diet is possible only when there are diverse crops. The MSP for certain food crops has forced farmers to cultivate specific crops only. So the government needs to promote diversification of crops by offering MSP for more crops.

Another cause for malnutrition is poverty, wherein people cannot afford diverse foods for themselves. So if government really wish for ruling out malnutrition from our country the government has to make food available for people. For this government can use the public distribution systems of the country. 

Last but not the least government should discourage people from using junk foods. This can be done via awareness programmes.

So its time to think whether we need to make our children remain hungry and jeopardise their future or do we need to build up a new generation with healthy body and healthy minds..