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Posts Tagged ‘biofortification’

2nd Keynote Speaker from HarvestPlus

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Dr. Howarth Bouis is the Director of HarvestPlus Foundation. HarvestPlus’  first funding came from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and it helped launch the program to reduce hidden hunger and strive to provide micronutrients to billions of people.

HarvestPlus coined the term “biofortification” to describe the modification of foods through micronutrients. The foundation focuses on three critical micronutrients that are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as most limiting in diets: iron, zinc, and vitamin A. It is hoped that within  fifteen years, millions of people suffering from micronutrient malnutrition will be eating new biofortified crop varieties.

Major Sponsors of the HarvestPlus programs include The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and World Bank. For more information about their programs: www.harvestplus.org

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Saving lives with enriched cereal crops

Friday, August 13th, 2010

The first confirmed speaker for The Farm Forum Event 2010 is Dr. Ismail Cakmak from the Faculty of Engineering & Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Dr. Cakmak’s research focuses on genetic and agronomic biofortification of cereal crops with zinc and iron.

It is estimated that about half of the world population is affected from micronutrient deficiencies. Dr. Camak’s research is looking at fortifying cereal crops with these nutrients to reduce human deficiencies and reduce the incidence of health problems. Early research indicates that the enrichment of certain crops may save the lives of tens of thousands of children.

For more information on Dr. Camak’s research see his university webpage.

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