🌱 Bio-Fortified Potatoes in India: A Step Towards Nutritional Security

Prepared by: Suryavanshi IAS
For UPSC Aspirants | General Studies Paper I, II & III | With PYQs

📌 Why in News?

The International Potato Center (CIP) has announced that bio-fortified potatoes rich in iron will soon be available in Indian markets. This follows the success of vitamin A-rich sweet potatoes already being cultivated in states like Karnataka, Assam, Odisha, and West Bengal. A new South Asia regional centre of CIP is being set up in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

📚 Relevance to UPSC Syllabus

Paper	Topic	Sub-topic
GS Paper I	Indian Geography	Agro-climatic regions, Cropping patterns
GS Paper II	Governance	Government policies and interventions for development in health, agriculture, nutrition
GS Paper III	Agriculture	Major crops, Bio-technology in agriculture, Public Distribution System
GS Paper III	Science and Technology	Biotechnology, Bio-fortification, Food Security

🌾 What is Bio-Fortification?

Bio-fortification is the process of increasing the nutritional value of crops through conventional breeding or modern biotechnology. It focuses on increasing micronutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin A in staple crops like rice, wheat, maize, and now potatoes.

✅ Advantages of Bio-fortification:

Tackles hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiency)
Cost-effective and sustainable solution
Reduces dependence on supplements
Reaches vulnerable populations through staple food

🥔 Highlights: Bio-fortified Potato Initiative in India

Feature	Details
Institution	International Potato Center (CIP), Peru
Partner	Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Central Potato Research Institute
Nutrients Targeted	Iron (potato), Vitamin A (sweet potato)
Status	First iron-rich variety released in Peru; under evaluation in India
New Centre	CIP South Asia Regional Centre, Agra
Focus Area	Indo-Gangetic Plains – largest potato-producing zone
Government Role	Land provided by UP govt, support by National Horticulture Board and Union Agriculture Ministry

🧠 Associated Themes for Mains Answer Writing

1. Nutritional Security through Bio-fortification

Link to SDG 2: Zero Hunger
Addressing malnutrition and iron-deficiency anemia in children and women
Mid-Day Meal Scheme and Poshan Abhiyaan

2. Technology and Innovation in Agriculture

Bio-technology for climate-resilient and nutrient-rich crops
Integration with food processing industry
Farmer empowerment via better seeds, inputs, and market access

3. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Agriculture

Involvement of private seed companies for seed multiplication
Role of research institutions and government schemes

📝 PYQs from Previous 8 Years (2016–2023)

Prelims Questions

Q1. What is the importance of biofortification in India’s food security strategy? (UPSC Prelims 2020)

a) It enhances the availability of biofuels

b) It helps in reducing the use of fertilizers

c) It improves the nutritional quality of food crops

d) It is used to increase the shelf life of crops

✅ Answer: c) It improves the nutritional quality of food crops

📌 Explanation: Biofortification is the process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins and minerals. It is a cost-effective way to address malnutrition.

Q2. With reference to the ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2016)

This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies.
It is an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture.

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Answer: c) Both 1 and 2

📌 Explanation: The initiative focuses on millets and aims to improve production technologies and promote nutritional awareness, under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Q3. Which of the following can be said to be an objective of the National Nutrition Mission (Poshan Abhiyaan)? (UPSC Prelims 2019)

a) Addressing stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, and low birth weight in children

b) Promoting crop diversification

c) Promoting food processing in rural areas

d) Creating a buffer stock of nutritious food

✅ Answer: a) Addressing stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, and low birth weight

📌 Explanation: POSHAN Abhiyaan is India's flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

🗺️ Map-Based Practice: Potato Production Regions in India

Mark these high-potato-production zones on your India map practice:

Uttar Pradesh (Agra, Farrukhabad, Kannauj)
West Bengal
Bihar
Punjab
Gujarat

💡 Mains Practice Question

GS Paper III (250 words)

“Discuss the role of bio-fortification in ensuring food and nutritional security in India. Evaluate the opportunities and challenges of implementing bio-fortified crops at scale.”

🧾 Summary

Bio-fortified potatoes rich in iron will soon be released in India.
Initiative led by International Potato Center (CIP) and ICAR.
Agra to host CIP’s South Asia regional centre.
Supports government’s push for nutritional security, better crop varieties, and farmer support.
Integrates science, technology, nutrition, agriculture, and public policy—all crucial for UPSC.

🧪 Keywords to Revise for Prelims

Bio-fortification
Hidden Hunger
Iron-deficiency anemia
Mid-Day Meal Scheme
CIP
ICAR
Indo-Gangetic Plains
Nutritional Security
Seed Multiplication
PPP in Agriculture

📍Suryavanshi IAS Tip:

For Prelims 2025, expect questions linking nutrition + agriculture + biotech. For Mains, relate it to SDGs, government schemes, and inclusive development.

Suryavanshi IAS

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