Strengthening of the Biofortified Bean Value Chain in Native People of Latin America and the Caribbean

Approximately 53 million people suffer from malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean. Consequences include low birth weight and anemia. Biofortification enhances the nutrient content in crops through conventional breeding practices, addressing deficiencies in iron, zinc, and vitamin A in the human body. Biofortified crops exhibit improved agronomic characteristics and provide higher levels of micronutrients compared to conventional crops. Biofortified beans, for instance, supply over 50% of the average estimated requirement for children aged 4 to 6 and non-pregnant women of childbearing age. However, broader dissemination of biofortified varieties in the region is necessary to meet the expectations of this technology. Collaboration among professionals and researchers from agricultural institutions will strengthen the value chain of biofortified beans, aiming to ensure food and nutritional security in the region.