Micronutrient deficiencies have increased over recent decades due to the general depreciation of the quality of poor people’s diet, both in developed and developing countries. The deficiencies of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) are a critical public health problem worldwide, with the negative impact on health, lifespan and productivity. Biofortification is an agricultural approach  that can improve human nutrition on a global scale. Agronomic biofortification is considered a short-term and complementary strategy, but economic analyses suggest that genetic biofortification  is the most effective strategy for increasing dietary Fe and Zn intakes of vulnerable populations. Enrichment of cereal grains by breeding is a high-priority area of research, and an effective strategy among other approaches, e.g, fortification, supplementation and food diversification. This review discusses the role of Fe and Zn in plant nutrition, the potential strategies for developing Fe and Zn biofortified crops and their importance in human nutrition.

19.3.2014