Biofortification photos on Flickr

Ears of orange maize lines following harvesting, on experimental plots at the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI). This maize is orange because it contains high levels of beta-carotene, the same substance that give carrots their color. Beta-carotene is a provitamin, and is converted to vitamin A within the human body.

Maize is the staple food for more than one billion people in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, but it is generally poor in provitamin A. It is estimated that between one third and half of all Zambian children suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which weakens their vision and immune systems, retards their growth, makes them more vulnerable to various diseases, and reduces their quality of life. In all, night blindness and other health problems caused by vitamin A deficiency affect more than 5 million children and nearly 10 million pregnant women, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

CIMMYT works with ZARI as part of HarvestPlus, a CGIAR challenge program that uses biofortification to improve the nutritional value of staple foods. The HarvestPlus maize team uses conventional breeding to create maize hybrids and open-pollinated varieties rich in provitamin A. In the research shown here, ZARI is evaluating advanced experimental varieties for yield and agronomic characteristics; the best of these will be tested for provitamin A content. Furthermore, scientists in CIMMYT and other organizations are now producing a new generation of varieties with more provitamin A than ever before. Alleles that can boost beta-carotene levels in grain, rare and previously found only in temperate maize, are being bred into tropical maize for developing countries.

For more about CIMMYT's work in breeding biofortified maize rich in provitamin A, see the following e-news stories:

- "Rare genetic variant in maize gives grain more pro-vitamin A", 2010, available online at: www.cimmyt.org/newsletter/231-2010/617-rare-genetic-varia....

- "Formula for success", 2007, available online at: www.cimmyt.org/newsletter/63-2007/203-formula-for-success.

For more on the HarvestPlus’s Maize Team meeting, hosted in 2010 by ZARI, see CIMMYT's blog story "Benefits of biofortification explored during meeting in Zambia" at: blog.cimmyt.org/?p=3468.

For more on HarvestPlus, see: www.harvestplus.org/.

Photo credit: CIMMYT.

Colombia Bean Release 33 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 24 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 31 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

NP - Colombia Bean Release 22 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

Pic by Neil Palmer (CIAT). The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia. more information to follow shortly. Contact n.palmer@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 29 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Rwanda 8 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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Documenting the impact of improved climbing beans in Rwanda.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

DRC Gorilla Beans 7-2 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 28 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 16 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Bean power in Tanzania by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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Uyole 03, an improved bean variety helping farmers improve their lives and empowering women, is the result of a joint effort by the government funded Uyole Agricultural Research Institute, with Technical backstopping from international research organizations such as the International Tropical Agriculture (IITA) CIAT, ICRISAT, Wageningen University, One Acre Fund and Farm inputs Promotions Services (FIPS) and support from the Tanzanian Government and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Mozambique 7 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

Trials of drought tolerant beans in Mozambique, which is suffering from the worst drought in three decades.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 8 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 12 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 6 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

NP - Colombia Bean Release 7 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

Pic by Neil Palmer (CIAT). The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia. more information to follow shortly. Contact n.palmer@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 9 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Rwanda 72 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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Documenting the impact of improved climbing beans in Rwanda.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 17 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 18 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Climbing beans 18 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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A climbing bean farmer tends to her young crop in Nyagatare, in Rwanda's Eastern Province.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 26 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Bean power in Tanzania by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

8

Uyole 03, an improved bean variety helping farmers improve their lives and empowering women, is the result of a joint effort by the government funded Uyole Agricultural Research Institute, with Technical backstopping from international research organizations such as the International Tropical Agriculture (IITA) CIAT, ICRISAT, Wageningen University, One Acre Fund and Farm inputs Promotions Services (FIPS) and support from the Tanzanian Government and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

NP - Colombia Bean Release 27 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

Pic by Neil Palmer (CIAT). The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia. more information to follow shortly. Contact n.palmer@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 13 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

White pea beans in Ethiopia by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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New white pea bean varieties developed by researchers at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) in Ethiopia and CIAT are more drought-resilient, pest and disease resilient than previous varieties.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

DRC Gorilla Beans 2-2 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 11 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Bean power in Tanzania by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

4

Uyole 03, an improved bean variety helping farmers improve their lives and empowering women, is the result of a joint effort by the government funded Uyole Agricultural Research Institute, with Technical backstopping from international research organizations such as the International Tropical Agriculture (IITA) CIAT, ICRISAT, Wageningen University, One Acre Fund and Farm inputs Promotions Services (FIPS) and support from the Tanzanian Government and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 25 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Vietnam forages 26 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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Read the story on the CIAT blog (bit.ly/14eZaDy). An improved livestock production system in the Ea Kar District of Vietnam's Central Highlands has had a major impact on smallholder farmers, some of whom have been able to build new homes with the money they have earned from their cattle.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Climbing beans 3 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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Climbing bean trials in Nyagatare, in Rwanda's Eastern Province.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

DRC Gorilla Beans 10-2 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 3 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Climbing beans 2 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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A farmer who is trialling climbing beans developed by CIAT and its partners, near Ruhengeri, northwestern Rwanda.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 20 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

QPM harvest 10 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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Harvesting biofortified maize (Quality Protein Maize - QPM) at trial sites at CIAT's headquarters in Colombia. QPM contains higher levels of the amino acids lysine and tryptophan.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 35 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Bean power in Tanzania by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

5

Uyole 03, an improved bean variety helping farmers improve their lives and empowering women, is the result of a joint effort by the government funded Uyole Agricultural Research Institute, with Technical backstopping from international research organizations such as the International Tropical Agriculture (IITA) CIAT, ICRISAT, Wageningen University, One Acre Fund and Farm inputs Promotions Services (FIPS) and support from the Tanzanian Government and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Colombia Bean Release 32 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

The release of iron-biofortified beans near Barichara, Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Biofortified Rice 5 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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Biofortified rice at the institution's headquarters in Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Rwanda 71 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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Documenting the impact of improved climbing beans in Rwanda.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

DRC Gorilla Beans 18 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

4

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Rwanda 33 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

6

Documenting the impact of improved climbing beans in Rwanda.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

Biofortified Rice 6 by Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

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A CIAT rice worker at the institution's headquarters in Colombia.

Please credit accordingly and leave a comment when you use a CIAT photo.

For more info: ciat-comunicaciones@cgiar.org

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