Ncert Exercises & Solutions

8. Explain what is meant by biofortification.

Biofortification is a process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins,

minerals, proteins, and fat content. This method is employed to improve

public health. Breeding of crops with improved nutritional quality is

undertaken to improve the content of proteins, oil, vitamins, minerals, and

micro-nutrients in crops. It is also undertaken to upgrade the quality of oil

and proteins. An example of this is a wheat variety known as Atlas 66, which

has high protein content in comparison to the existing wheat. In addition,

there are several other improved varieties of crop plants such as rice, carrots,

spinach etc. which have more nutritious value and more nutrients than the

existing varieties.