* sendhil.eco@pondiuni.ac.in

Globally, the practice of enhancing the nutrient content in staple crops i.e., biofortification is recognised as a promising approach to combat the persisting level of micronutrient deficiency, especially in developing and pro-poor economies. Wheat, being a primary staple foodgrain, has immense potential to address the malnutrition problem.

In this context, this study aims to track and chart the progress of research in wheat biofortification (through VosViewer visualization tool), assess the impact of agronomic and genetic efforts (via meta-analysis), and suggests policy framework for upscaling and outscaling biofortified wheat varieties. Scopus database was used to retrieve the articles using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) charter. The processed data from the retrieved articles was subjected to meta-analysis and bibliometric network charts to track respectively the multi-dimensional impact and research progress of biofortification.

Further, the popular ‘economic surplus’ model has been applied to quantify the economic impact of adopting a biofortified wheat variety in India. The bibliometric analysis highlights that emerging economies like India, Pakistan, and China are at the forefront of research on wheat biofortification, closely followed by Turkey, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Meta-analysis indicate that agronomic interventions resulted in a remarkable increase of 1.60 standard deviation (SD) in ‘Zinc’ (Zn) and 1.70 SD increase in ‘Iron’ (Fe) concentration. Genetic interventions resulted in a substantial 74% and 79% increase in Zn and Fe levels, respectively.

It has been estimated that India’s first biofortified wheat variety (WB 02) is cultivated approximately in 144,256 hectares since its release, generated an estimated economic surplus of INR 50.54 million (at constant 2011-12 prices). Overall, the effects of biofortification were substantial in Asia and African regions, grappling with micronutrient deficiencies and hidden hunger.

In the Indian context, genetic biofortification emerged to be impactful in comparison to agronomic biofortification, registering nearly three times higher efficacy than the latter. In addition, genetic biofortification is regarded as cost-effective and sustainable approach. This study advocates for policy framework to strengthen the value chain on wheat biofortification, and also to upscale and outscale the adoption of biofortified wheat varieties, thereby addressing hidden hunger and enhancing the nutritional outcomes.