Image Source: IRRI

In a significant step toward nutrition-sensitive agriculture, India has begun the large-scale rollout of Spoorthi (GNV 1906), a high-zinc rice variety designed to combat zinc deficiency through a staple consumed by millions. Developed collaboratively by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), and the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Spoorthi is the only zinc-biofortified rice variety to clear the rigorous testing protocols of the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Program (AICRIP) in the past three years.

The official release of Spoorthi in 2023 marked a quiet but powerful breakthrough in India’s biofortification agenda. This month, its deployment began with farmer training and seed distribution programs held in Raichur, Karnataka, and Marrigudem village in Telangana’s Nalgonda district. With 50 quintals of seed already distributed for multiplication and scaling, the groundwork is being laid for Spoorthi’s entry into the fields—and eventually the kitchens—of nutrition-vulnerable populations.

Zinc deficiency continues to affect 30–40 per cent of India’s population, disproportionately impacting women, children, and the elderly. Spoorthi delivers 26 parts per million (ppm) of zinc in polished rice grain—significantly higher than the 12–16 ppm in commonly cultivated varieties—without compromising on yield. Its performance parallels popular varieties like IR64 and MTU1010, which yield 4.5 to 6.5 tons per hectare, making it a compelling option for farmers who typically prioritize productivity and disease resistance.

What distinguishes Spoorthi is not just its nutrient density, but the ecosystem of support built around it. IRRI and its partners are not merely releasing a new seed; they are orchestrating an effort that includes strategic seed hubs, early multiplication zones near Hyderabad and Raichur, and intensive farmer outreach. “Many farmers still associate value with yield or pest resistance, not nutrition,” noted Dr. B.P. Mallikarjuna Swamy, Senior Scientist at IRRI. “That’s why we’re working to create more awareness about the health benefits of zinc.”

This approach is already yielding results. Farmer trainings and localized demonstrations are helping to bridge the knowledge gap around biofortified crops. Crucially, the next phase involves aligning Spoorthi’s scale-up with public health initiatives, particularly in school feeding programs, nutrition missions, and welfare schemes for women and children.

“We’re also exploring collaborations with the Department of Women and Child Welfare, school meal programs, and public-private partnerships to add value and expand reach,” said Dr. Swamy. The integration of Spoorthi into these channels could help mainstream nutrition-sensitive farming in India’s policy landscape, while building long-term consumer demand for fortified staples.

At a time when India’s agricultural innovation is increasingly judged not just by quantity but by nutritional quality, Spoorthi sets an important precedent. It demonstrates that biofortification doesn’t have to come at the cost of yield or market viability—it can, in fact, deliver value across the entire chain, from field to fork.