Can new fortified potato variety help with India’s hidden hunger problem?, Pg II

Key Highlights:

• The ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) has developed a new biofortified potato variety named Kufri Jamunia.
• This variety contains higher levels of anthocyanins, vitamin C, zinc, iron, and carotenoids compared to regular potatoes.
• The Central government is promoting Kufri Jamunia as a potential solution to address "hidden hunger" in India.
• Developed in 2015, the variety was officially approved in mid-2024 and notified by the government in November 2024.
• Kufri Jamunia has distinctive purple skin and flesh, which may influence consumer acceptance.

Detailed Insights:

• Kufri Jamunia was created by crossing two potato lines: MS/8-1148, known for high vitamin C, and CP4242, which has purple skin and flesh.
• Per 100g, it offers 42.75 mg of vitamin C, 2.28 mg of zinc, and 3.22 mg of iron, significantly more than standard potatoes.
• The variety matures in approximately 90 days and yields 10-12 medium to large tubers per plant.
• Challenges include potential consumer reluctance due to its purple appearance and the inconsistent consumption patterns of potatoes in India.
• Further research is needed on nutrient retention through diverse Indian cooking methods and the actual bioavailability of nutrients in humans.
• While showing moderate resistance to late blight in laboratory settings, Kufri Jamunia has been reported as susceptible in field conditions, necessitating fungicide application.
• Its average yield of 31.96 tonnes per hectare is lower than other colored varieties like Kufri Neelkanth, potentially requiring a price premium for farmers to achieve similar revenues.
• The overall cost-benefit analysis, including seed costs, disease management, market uptake, and its efficacy in combating hidden hunger, is yet to be fully determined.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Hidden Hunger: A form of malnutrition where individuals consume sufficient calories but lack essential micronutrients for proper health and development.
• Biofortification: The process of increasing the nutritional value of food crops through conventional plant breeding, agronomic practices, or genetic engineering.
• Anthocyanins: Water-soluble pigments responsible for red, purple, and blue colors in plants, known for their antioxidant properties.
• Late Blight: A destructive plant disease primarily affecting potatoes and tomatoes, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, leading to rapid crop destruction.