Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(9): 3240-3245 3240 Review Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.909.401 Bio-fortification for Improving Nutritional Security Ramesh Chand Bana 1* , A. K. Gupta 2 , A. C. Shivran 1 , Ramdhan Jat 1 , Ranjeet Singh Bochalya 2 and Prabhoo Singh 3 1 Department of Agronomy, 3 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, SKN COA, SKN Agriculture University, Jobner-303329 (Rajasthan), India 2 FSR, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Chatha, Jammu-180009 (J&K), India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction Role of Agriculture to Improve Nutrition through Bio-fortification The agriculture is the primary source of nutrients necessary for a healthy life, but agricultural policies and technologies have focused on improving profitability at the farm and agro-industry levels, not on improving nutrition (Bouis and Welch, 2010). Given the prevalence of hidden hunger, there is growing interest in the role of agriculture should play in improving nutrition, in particular by paying more attention to the nutritional quality of food. Bio-fortification is a scientific method for improving the nutritional value of foods already consumed by those suffering from hidden hunger (Bouis et al., 2011). Scientists first breed crops whose edible portions have International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 9 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Mostly in poorer countries especially Asia and Africa, 2 billion people suffer from micronutrient malnutrition, also known as hidden hunger (WHO and FAO 2006). This is caused by a lack of critical micronutrients such as vitamin A, zinc, and iron in the diet. Globally Zn is now recognized as the fifth major nutrient deficiency. Hidden hunger impairs the mental and physical development of children and adolescents and can result in lower intelligence quotient, stunting, and blindness; women and children are especially vulnerable. Hidden hunger also reduces the productivity of adult men and women due to increased risk of illness and reduced work capacity. In 2008, the Lancet published a landmark series of articles on maternal and child under nutrition highlighting the extent of hidden hunger. Hidden hunger’s enormous consequences, not only to individuals but als o to society through reduced economic productivity, have brought more attention to the issue recently. Also in 2008, a panel of noted economists that included five Nobel Laureates, ranked efforts to reduce-hidden hunger among the most cost-effective solutions to global challenges. One of these efforts, Bio-fortification, was ranked fifth. Keywords Bio-fortification, Malnutrition, Hidden hunger and Micronutrient Accepted: 24 August 2020 Available Online: 10 September 2020 Article Info