Moving from Agriculture to food through biofortification Dr

Moving from Agriculture to food through biofortification Dr. Md. Khairul Bashar Country Manager, Harvest. Plus - Bangladesh SAFANSI Round Table, Colombo 26 June 2018 Harvest. Plus@cgiar. org • www. Harvest. Plus. org

Biofortification – One Piece of the Puzzle Advantages of Biofortification: • Targeted – Reach rural communities missed by other options • Cost effective – One upfront investment on breeding. • Sustainable- Centered on staple foods; seeds easily saved and shared. Courtesy: Howarth E. Bouis, Harvest. Plus

Biofortification Works • Nutrient levels can be increased to high enough levels in high-yielding backgrounds • The extra nutrients are absorbed at sufficient levels that micronutrient status is improved • Encouraging evidence that farmers will adopt and consumers buy/eat in sufficient quantities • Biofortification is being mainstreamed

4 Biofortification in the Value Chain In the Crop Biofortification Diet Diversification (own-production) Fertilizers In the Factory On the Plate Fortification Supplementation Diet Diversification (food purchases) Micronutrient Powders

Alternatives to increase Zn content in Rice* Characteristic Biofortification s High intrinsic content of Principle zinc Requirements Permanent attention to breeding Limitations Depends on yield and farmers acceptance of the cultivar Advantages Once seed is accepted, control and distribution of seeds are easy Extrusion fortification Extruded fortified kernel diluted 1: 100 to 1: 200 in rice Extrusion factory, centralized dilution facilities A few centralized mills, strong enforcement system It is possible to add other micronutrients: Iron, vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin B 1, B 12 (vit. D, others) Fortification by parboiling Absorption of zinc by the rice kernel from soaking water Reliable use of zinc solution Risk of environmental contamination through husk, by-products, soaking effluent It does not require equipment * Omar Dary, 2015. Rice as a delivering vehicle of zinc in Bangladesh, Special session about rice fortification, Nutrition. Division/HDN/DH, USAID.

6 Percent of Estimated Average Requirement: Example of Bangladesh Zinc Daily Requirement for Adult Women = 12 mg Zn/day Non-Biofortified Rice Varieties 400 grams milled rice x 15 mg Zn/kg = 6 mg Zn/day Released Biofortified Rice Varieties (+25% of EAR) 400 grams milled rice x 22 mg Zn/kg = 9 mg Zn/day Future Biofortified Rice Varieties (+40% of EAR) 400 grams milled rice x 27 mg Zn/kg = 11 mg Zn/day

Comparison of Annual Biofortification and Fortification Costs, Bangladesh Courtesy: Howarth E. Bouis, Harvest. Plus

Rice is life 77. 0

Proportion of Producers’ Rice Consumption Categories of farmers Rice consumption Percentages relied Percentages on own production relied on market Marginal and small 79 21 Medium 98 2 Large 99 1 All 92 8 Source: Field survey (2017 -18), Agricultural Economics Division, BRRI.

Harvest. Plus Bangladesh-Area of Work Research Seed Production Crop Development BRRIBreeder Seed BADC & PSFS &TLS Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy Own Consume Direct Seed Pass On Non Con VCA Meeting Mo. U with Agro food Processor Demand creation Local by Partners National By CM

R&D of Biofortified crops led by H+ in BD Funded by Harvest. Plus. Bangladesh IRRI ICARDA CIMMYT BARI Healthier Rice BRRI Research BSMRAU BINA Zinc Rice BU Aromatic (5 Varieties) Hybrid Zinc Rice Seed Production Delivery Zinc Rice Zinc & Iron Lentil Commercialization Zinc Wheat Communication & Advocacy

Biofortified Crops in Bangladesh These complementary crops together cover 3 of the 4 nutrients, considered essential for health by WHO Research 2013 2011 CIP 2017 Rice Lentil Sweetpotato Wheat Zinc & Iron Vitamin A Zinc Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Available high zinc rice varieties Year Variety Grain type Yield (MT/ha) Life cycle (days) Zinc (mg/kg) Zinc+ Cropping season (mg/kg) 2013 BRRI dhan-62 Long slender 4. 0 -4. 5 100 22 6 Aman (rainfed) 2014 BRRI dhan-64 Medium slender 6. 0 -6. 5 150 -152 24 8 Boro (Irrigated) 2015 BRRI dhan-72 Medium slender 6. 0 -6. 5 125 -130 22. 7 6. 5 Aman (rainfed) 2015 BRRI dhan-74 Medium bold 7. 0 -7. 5 145 -147 22. 7 6. 5 Boro (Irrigated) 2016 BU Hybrid Rice 1 Aromatic long slender 5. 0 -5. 5 112 -115 21. 8 Zn 9. 75 Fe 5. 8 Aman (rainfed) 2016 BU dhan 2 Aromatic long slender 4. 5 Aus 115 Aus 5. 0 Aman 120 Aman 6. 0 Boro 145 Boro 6. 2 22. 2 Zn 11 Fe 8% protein 2017 BRRI dhan-84 Medium slender 6. 5 140 -145 27. 6 11. 6 Boro (Irrigated) 2017 BINA dhan-20 Long slender 4. 5 (max 7) 125 -130 27. 5 11. 5 Aman (rainfed) Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization All 3 seasons Communication & Advocacy

Available Zinc & Iron enriched Lentil varieties Item BARI Mosur-6 BARI Mosur-7 BARI Mosur-8 Season Rabi Duration (days) 110 -115 115 -120 Yield (t/ha) 2 -2. 3 1. 60 -2. 2 -2. 3 Fe (ppm) 86 81 72 -75 Zn (ppm) 63 - 58 -60 Commonly available local varieties contain 55 -62 ppm Fe and 32 -41 ppm Zn. Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Zinc wheat variety- BARI Gom 33 Lifecycle 110 -115 days Zinc content 55 mg/kg Yield 4 -5 t/ha Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Quick dissemination through BRRI Seed. Net BADC BRAC DAE Syngenta Farmer's Group RPFs/Farmers BRRI Petrochem Own Group Shushilan LNGO RPFs/Farmers CCDB RPFs/Farmers Private Sector RPFs/Farmers RDRS Farm Seed RPFs/Farmers FS CS/TLS Commercial Cultivation ACI Padakhep BS Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization RPFs/Farmers Communication & Advocacy

Breeder Seed Production of zinc-enriched rice varieties 6000 5000 4000 3000 BRRI dhan 84 2000 BRRI dhan 74 1000 BRRI dhan 64 BRRI dhan 72 0 Production Production (kg) 2013 -14 (kg) 2014 -15 (kg) 2015 -16 (kg) 2016 -17 (kg) 2017 -18 BRRI dhan 62

How H+ works for HZR Delivery Seed distribu tion Crop cut & Farmer' s Field day Demo plot establi sh Research Seed Production Inputs & Services: To. Ts Advocacy Media PR Farmer training Delivery 1. Seed 2. Fact sheets 3. Branding materials 4. Awareness sessions 5. Public relations 6. Advocacy Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Seed Distribution through partners Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Coverage by Implementing Partners Extension: • GOs- 5 • NGOs- 25 • Private Sector 300 companies • Districts-62 • Upazilla-350+ Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Harvest. Plus Bangladesh Upscale Strategies Increased uptake of zinc rice by producers and consumers • Strategy 1: Create public awareness on zinc rice benefits • Strategy 2: Popularize zinc rice varieties at farmer level • Strategy 3: Increase availability of zinc rice seed & grain Create sustainable value chain for zinc rice • Strategy 4: Motivate private seed and consumer product companies towards zinc rice commercialization • Strategy 5: Increased mainstreaming of zinc rice among private seed and grain companies Mainstreaming biofortification in national policy • Strategy 6: Catalyze the policies on biofortification for nutrition and agriculture • Strategy 7: Higher level interaction with policy makers, influential development bodies and entities • Strategy 8: Engage government on the inclusion of Zinc rice in the state subsidy food program Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Farmers’ Training Classroom setup farmer’s training at Panchagharh district Hands on farmer’s training at Bogura district Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Demonstration of Zinc rice in farmer plot Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Zinc rice value chain Private Sector Agro-Food Processor BRRI BADC Farmers Aggregators Miller Final Consumer Whole Seller Retailer DAE Mo. U signed Awareness creation by meeting Provide seed & technical support Advocating seed production Collaborators for Research & Extension Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Meeting the Value Chain Actors Location: Ishwardi Workshop on Zinc Rice Marketing Location: Jessore Participants: Growers, Millers, Seed dealers and dissemination partners Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Grain Marketing by HP Partners First attempt in Sep 2016: Zinc Rice being sold in the local pharmacies in Narail, Bangladesh Many NGOs and commercial companies showing interest in marketing zinc rice Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Social Marketing of Zinc Rice o o Sensitization of rice millers to initiate zinc rice milling Coordination and established linkage among rice millers Engage GO, NGO, Seed company Association for zinc rice extension. Capacity building of partners to act as complimentary extension services. Shared seeds- International NGOs (Caritas and Muslim Aid) & IRRI project – Water, land Ecosystem (WLE) Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Communication & Advocacy Facebook Print Media Electronic Media Court Yard Meeting Farmers Field Day Media Coverage: 2013 to 2017 Press – 1730 Electronic – 156 Facebook- 12. 3 K Research Seed Production School Program Pot Song Meeting/Workshop Participation in Fair Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Creating public awareness on zinc rice Print & Electronic Media Coverage 1730 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 665 800 Print Media 606 600 400 236 200 223 30 57 56 13 0 2014 TV 2015 TV 2016 TV 2017 TV Total TV Print Print media media Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Talk Show Communication & Advocacy

Court Yard Meeting Yard meeting at Pirgonj, Thakurgaon Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Farmers’ Field day Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Sensitization of School Students Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Folk (Pot) Song Show Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Participation in 7 th Agro Bangladesh Expo Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Statistics of Sensitization Activities 91029 100000 90000 People sensitized 80000 70000 60000 50000 16223 16460 40000 30000 4585 20000 10000 0 Court yard meeting Farmers field days Research Seed Production Delivery School Prpgram Commercialization Pot song Communication & Advocacy

Achievement up to 2017 and Plan for 2020 HH Seed (MT) 109266 2700 900000 Area (ha) 567561 58273 1242 Research 2972 73 202 5 1000 18362 2014 2015 Seed Production 84984 2100 700000 63738 1575 525000 10429 258 85899 2016 Delivery 2017 2018 2019 Commercialization 2020 Communication & Advocacy

MPs in Harvest. Plus Advocacy Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

National Support for Multiple Nutrient Dense Crop Approach “Bangladesh pioneered in accepting…. . the country’s first biofortified rice variety…. …. orange fleshed sweet potato” Matia Chowdhury, Honorable Minister of Agriculture at ICN 2 2014, Rome Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Government’s recognition of biofortified zinc rice to achieve the SDG - nutritional security Bangladesh is the first country to develop and cultivate biofortified Zinc rice variety proudly mentioned by the Hon’ble President of Bangladesh, Md. Abdul Hamid in his speech at the 5 th National Convention and International Agricultural Conference held in Dhaka on 29 -30 October 2016. Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Advocacy Activities at Policy Level – Inclusion of BF in National Agricultural Policy 2018 (draft) – Proposed incorporation of BF crops in Country Investment Plan (CIP-2) led by FAO & World Bank – Proposed inclusion of BF in National Seed Policy – Proposed inclusion of BF crops in Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Bangladesh Climate Smart Investment Plan (CSIP) led by World Bank Group. – An Mo. U signed between IPHN, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and ENRICH project. Research Seed Production Delivery Commercialization Communication & Advocacy

Source: DG Food, Ministry of Food. Rice Distribution by the Government under Safety-net Program (MT) Channel 2017 -18 2016 -17 Essential Priority (EP) 1, 80, 890 1, 71, 841 Others Priority (OP) 14, 299 14, 194 Large Employers (LE) 5, 245 8, 559 Open Market Sales (OMS) 1, 53, 800 52, 197 Fair Price Card (FPC)* 2, 97, 726 6, 84, 183 4 th Class employee 0 10, 005 Freedom Fighters 723 782 6, 52, 683 9, 41, 761 44, 682 17, 315 2 0 Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF)* 1, 60, 832 1, 62, 178 Vulnerable Group Development (VGD)* 3, 30, 482 2, 83, 625 0 0 46, 915 35, 461 Others 1, 08, 945 42, 029 Sub-total (Non-priced) 6, 91, 858 5, 40, 608 Total PFDP 13, 44, 541 14, 82, 369 Sub-total (Ration) Food for Works (FFW) Test Relief (TR) School Feeding Program* Gratuitous Relief (GR) * Priority group for intervening with nutritious rice through procurement plan

T. Aman Sharna (155 days) Fallow (70 Days) Boro BRRI dhan 28 (140 days) Now Before Agronomic & Nutritional advantages of Biofortified crops Aman BRRI dhan 62 (100 days) Mustard/ lentil/ vegetables (125 -130 days) Boro BRRI dhan 64/ BRRI dhan 28 (135 - 140 days)

Mainstreaming of extension services § Mass scale participation of DAE, private sectors and NGO’s for creating awareness and out scaling of biofortified crop varieties § Input support for the farmers for growing micro nutrient enriched rice § Ensuring premium procurement price for biofortified crops § Government policy intervention for the promotion of biofortified food among the vulnerable groups through VGF, VGD, FP, SFC § Ensuring seed availability through establishment of seed bank/seed center at the village level.

Way Forward… • Mainstreaming Biofortification in crop development, seed multiplication and delivery of all staple food crops involving public and private sectors • Inclusion of biofortified rice in social safety net programs • Inclusion of biofortification in all agriculture and nutrition policies

A visionary advocate for the poor “Our aim should be to make every family farm a biofortified farm…” Dr. M. S. Swaminathan

Thank You