All of the key components have been put in place to scale up biofortification as a cost-effective, sustainable, and efficacious strategy to help reduce iron, zinc, and vitamin A deficiencies. Over 300 high-yielding, nutrient dense biofortiified varieties have been developed (all using conventional plant breeding techniques) and released in more than 30 countries; within the next five years biofortified variteties will be available in 60 countries.
Several published efficacy trials involving biofortified crops have shown improvement in status and improved functional outcomes.
The optimal strategies (low cost, rapid uptake) for scale up are being developed; it is estimated that 38 million people, living on farms producing biofortified crops, are consuming biofortified foods; this does not include non-producers who are buying biofortified foods in markets.
The primary task now is to mainstream use of biofortified crops and foods in the every day activities of a wide range of organizations (e.g. agricultural research institutes, private seed and food processing companies, multi-lateral financial and policy institutions, national government programs).
