Question

According to Global Hunger Index, 2014, two billion people suffer from hidden hunger. Apply your knowledge of plant breeding techniques to suggest a programme to improve public health. Specify four objectives of the programme. Also, mention one example of such a produce.

Answer 1

Biofortification can improve public health. It involves breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins and minerals, or higher protein and healthier fats. Breeding for improved nutritional quality is improving:

i. Protein content and quality;

ii. Oil content and quality;

iii. Vitamin content; and

iv. Micronutrient and mineral content.

In the year 2000, maize hybrids that had twice the amount of the amino acids, lysine and tryptophan, compared to existing maize hybrids were developed. Another example is the wheat variety, Atlas 66, having a high protein content which has been used as a donor for improving cultivated wheat.