Nepal's Biofortified Wheat Falls Flat Due to Lack of Awareness

Farmers in Nepal's Kapilvastu and Rupandehi districts have started growing biofortified wheat, but many don't know why it matters.

The wheat variety, called Zinc Gahun 1, contains higher concentrations of zinc and iron in the grain. It was released by Nepal in 2020, along with five other biofortified varieties.

Researchers found that micronutrient deficiencies, including iron and zinc deficiencies, remain a nutritional concern in Nepal. These deficiencies can affect children's growth, development, immunity, and learning.

Farmers who grew Zinc Gahun 1 didn't know it was a special, nutrient-rich variety. They planted it because it gave them a better harvest, not for its nutritional value.