Promotion of biofortified pearl millet hybrid VPMH-14 to address anemia in women and children in Koppal District, Karnataka

Abstract

Anaemia is the nutritional deficiency disorder and 37 per cent of pregnant women and 40 per preschool children in developing countries are anaemic according to world health organization. According to NFHS-5 data, in Koppal district about 55 per cent of pregnant women and 71 per cent in preschool children were suffering from anaemia. Biofortified food crops provide sufficient levels of micronutrients to targeted populations. To address the problem a biofortified pearl millet hybrid with high iron (75 ppm), zinc (42 ppm) and higher potential yield was promoted through front line demonstration from 2022-23 to 2024-25 in farmers field of Koppal district. The result concluded that cultivation of biofortified pearl millet hybrid VPMH-14 increased yield by 26.12 per cent. About 97 per cent of the pregnant women (78) and preschool children (80) liked the products (roti and khichadi) prepared from the biofortified pearl millet hybrid VPMH-14.