2 weeks Ago By NEWS WIRE
Multan - Stakeholders at a workshop have called upon policymakers, millers, farmers, and public institutions to adopt and promote zinc-biofortified wheat and hermetic storage technologies to ensure food and nutrition security in Pakistan. The workshop was organized by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), in collaboration with partners, here on Thursday to unveil critical research findings on the effectiveness of zinc-biofortified wheat in addressing zinc deficiency in Pakistan. Researchers, government officials, farmers, and stakeholders gathered at the event to discuss findings of the research studies: retention of zinc across the wheat value chain, from cultivation to storage and consumption; issues related to conventional storage & use of hermatic storage technology; and effectiveness of biofortified zinc wheat in overcoming zinc deficiency in humans.
KP signs MoA to empower youth through vocational training In her opening remarks, Farrah Naz, Country Director, GAIN Pakistan, emphasized GAIN’s commitment to evidence-based solutions that improve nutrition outcomes. Tannaza Sadaf, Portfolio Lead at GAIN, provided an overview of GAIN’s ongoing programs in Pakistan, particularly in the agriculture and food systems space. A study “Testing zinc and iron content across the wheat value chain i.
e. from seed to wheat flour and flatbread” shows that biofortified zinc wheat varieties significantly outperform conventional wheat in terms of zinc availability and bioavailability, highlighting their potential to address zinc deficiency. In another study “Dietary Quality of Zinc Biofortified Wheat Cultivars of Pakistan” results from a randomized controlled feeding trial that assessed the impact of zinc biofortified wheat on human health.
This research showed that regular consumption of high-zinc flatbread over a two-month period significantly increased serum zinc levels without adverse effects, proving the efficacy and safety of biofortified wheat. KP working on strategy to uplift universities: Afridi During the event, the participants recommended promoting whole wheat, fermented flatbreads like khameeri roti to enhance zinc absorption, and integrating zinc-biofortified wheat into public nutrition programs. The third research study explored the role of hermetic storage in preserving the quality of biofortified wheat – seed and grain.
Their findings showed that hermetic storage solutions drastically reduce postharvest losses in terms of moisture, germination, and nutritional quality of seed and wheat grain. Unlike conventional storage methods that lead to losses of up to 30%, hermetic bags preserved seed viability and nutritional content. Key results of the studies are Zinc-biofortified wheat significantly improves human zinc status and supports immune health, whole-wheat and fermentation of dough improve nutrient retention and absorption, hermetic storage is a game-changer in preserving seed and grain quality postharvest.
Government support and awareness campaigns are essential to scale these innovations nationally. From brain drain to brain gain: A historic address by Gen Asim Munir to overseas Pakistanis Tags: experts urge govt promote.
