How biofortified foods could transform India’s nutrition landscape by 2030

India has achieved impressive results in food production, yet it still suffers a serious malnutrition problem. In the 2025 Global Hunger Index, India is now in 105th place and hunger in the nation is still considered 'serious'. About 15% of South Africans do not get enough to eat. Nearly 20% of children under five have wasted bodies and 35% are stunted, reflecting that our way of nourishing people is not adequate.

The main problem isn’t the supply of food. The problem is that what we produce doesn’t match what our bodies require.

A lot of this unequal situation comes from India’s first Green Revolution. As we solved our food shortages with large wheat and rice production, the farming process became focused on making more, rather than making better produce. We encouraged farmers to grow more or less food and our agricultural policies nearly completely ignored giving micronutrients other than calories. Over time, this led to a food system that could feed more mouths but left many bodies undernourished.


What If Your Food Was Grown to Nourish You?
That’s why biofortification is so important.

Biofortification aims to increase nutrition in the crop from the start, making it easier for crops to draw in key nutrients using better agronomic techniques and seeds. It isn’t biotech. It isn’t manufactured in laboratories. Genetic science guides this approach to boosting the iron, zinc and protein found in wheat, rice and millets.

How different would it be if the roti your child ate every single day was packed with twice the iron? If you remained healthy without taking supplements, as your daily dal had the zinc you needed.

Where India Stands Now
The good news? India isn’t starting from zero. So far, ICR and other institutions have created 150 different types of biofortified crops. Now, the government is using them in programs like the Mid-Day Meal Program. Zinc wheat grown in Haryana and Maharashtra’s iron-rich bajra have become good examples of pilot successes.

Lately, biofortified foods are becoming of public interest. Several famous individuals have spoken out in support and a young company promoting biofortified staples was featured on Shark Tank India - making this nutrition trend more widely known across the nation. Because of these moments, there is now more talk about food and it’s clear the industry is evolving.

Quick validation is different from reaching a huge number of users.

Farmers in most cases wonder: “Will this yield more?” Kirana shops are still uncertain about whether or not an item will move. Even now, the mother keeps thinking: “Will this taste the same?”

Redefining the Wellness Plate
Biofortified foods should not be thought of as only for the rich. They are regular grains that give you extra. After so many protein powders and artificial products, these offer a chance for people to choose more natural foods, ones still supported by science.

This won’t fix all our problems by itself. But, it is known to work effectively. If done properly, biofortification can decrease anemia risks, boost brain health in kids and boost their school performance.

What really captures my interest is that this space isn’t limited to a single direction. This work links together agriculture, health, policy ,and culture.

What We Must Do (Now)

• Make farmers the heroes of the nutrition story. Reward them for growing better, not just more.
• Bridge science and tradition. Match regional dietary preferences with locally adapted nutrient-rich varieties.
• Reframe how we talk about food. From shelf-life and yield to micronutrient density and impact.
• Involve entrepreneurs and brands that can translate these grains into products people actually buy, cook, and love.

2030: The Wellness Future We Deserve
If we stay the course, biofortified staples won’t be in niche aisles - they’ll be in ration shops and wedding buffets. They’ll be the new normal. And maybe, just maybe, our nutrition numbers will finally match our production numbers.

Because the future of food is not just about feeding India. It’s about nourishing India.

The author is Co-founder & CEO of Better Nutrition.