Biofortification and Public Health Nutrition: Agricultural Innovations for Micronutrient Deficiency

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies, commonly referred to as hidden hunger, remain a major global public health challenge affecting billions of people, particularly in developing countries. Deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, iodine, vitamin A, and folate contribute significantly to impaired immunity, anemia, stunted growth, cognitive disorders, maternal mortality, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Conventional interventions including dietary supplementation and food fortification have shown positive impacts; however, limited accessibility, high implementation costs, and inconsistent coverage continue to restrict their effectiveness among vulnerable populations. Biofortification has emerged as a sustainable agricultural innovation aimed at enhancing the nutritional quality of staple food crops through conventional breeding, agronomic practices, and modern biotechnological approaches. Biofortified crops enriched with essential micronutrients provide a cost-effective and long-term strategy for combating micronutrient malnutrition while improving food security and public health outcomes. The present review critically examines the principles, approaches, health implications, and global progress of biofortification in relation to public health nutrition. The article discusses major biofortified crops, agricultural innovations, nutritional benefits, implementation challenges, and future perspectives for sustainable nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The review highlights that biofortification represents an integrated solution linking agriculture, nutrition, public health, and sustainable development for addressing hidden hunger and promoting global nutritional security.