CIAT - International Center for Tropical Agriculture

Published purpose

In the Americas, 94 million people are iron deficient and 16 million are vitamin A deficient. The results of these deficiencies are lower immunity to diseases, lower cognitive ability, and premature death. Through this project, the staple food crops of rice, corn, beans, cassava, and sweet potato are being bred to increase their iron, zinc, Vitamin A (beta carotene), and protein content. The resulting bio-fortified crops are distributed to rural poor through the national agricultural services of the targeted countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru. The objectives of the project are to double the iron and zinc content of both beans and rice; to raise the protein content of corn to 12%, with higher levels of beta carotene in yellow corn varieties; and to increase the beta carotene content of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and cassava, while at the same time potentially raising the protein content of cassava. Post-harvest processing and industrialization of cassava are also developed and deployed.