Colombia’s most recent advancement in biofortified rice is a world-leading example of how to raise the country’s nutritional floor. BIOZn035 is a biofortified variety specifically bred to address the rampant zinc deficiency. It especially focuses on children in the Caribbean region, where deficiency rates reach up to 41%. Colombian authorities have the political will to address nutritional challenges and boost food security. They have brought this new rice variety into the world at a critical time.
Alvaro Durand-Morat, agricultural economist at the University of Arkansas and lead author of a recent study. He pointed out that Filipino consumers are ready to shift from rice to other foods to reduce their diabetes risk. Judging by this assertion, consumers are becoming more aware of their health and more willing to make health the main focus, rather than conventional eating expectations. This study provides important evidence for Colombia and other countries. It will show them the way to improved nutrition and increased food security.
Thanks to the eight years of partnership, in January 2021, Colombia officially commercialized the BIOZn035 variety, through Fedearroz, the Colombian national rice producers’ association. This milestone follows years of rigorous lab and field research at 12 locations across the country. The fact that biofortified rice contained 62.5% higher levels of zinc than regular rice was determined through these studies.
Addressing Nutritional Deficiencies
Zinc deficiency is a major public health problem in Colombia. Twenty-five percent of our nation’s population lives with these unfortunate realities according to the latest estimates. This is especially true for children between 1-4 years of age, with some of the highest deficiency rates found in the Caribbean region. BIOZn035 is a smart, strategic response to repair these gaps. Not only does it serve as a food source that improves health outcomes, but by aligning with traditional dietary preferences, it helps to increase the cultural appropriateness.
The research that Durand-Morat and others have done points to consumer acceptance as being key to any dietary shift. Even during times of economic recession, consumers are ready to pay a premium for biofortified staples. They might make this choice because they prefer the taste and mouthfeel of these products. The blind study conducted in Cartagena featured over 400 participants. Results indicated that consumers perceived biofortified rice to be of equal quality to commercial varieties. They are more than willing to reward such efforts by paying a 41% premium over conventional rice. They would similarly pay a 12% premium for other non-GE premium rice.
“The findings show that biofortified rice in Colombia has high potential to be successfully promoted, more widely consumed, and improve the health of consumers,” – Robert Andrade
Consumer Preferences and Economic Implications
The Durand-Morat study underscores an important collision between market forces and the importance of public health. In regions where economic constraints limit access to diverse diets, enhancing staple foods like rice could be a pragmatic solution. Durand-Morat underscored the need to do more than simply increase nutrient density in staples. To make sure it’s implemented successfully, we need to know what that community actually needs and what food they want.
“Work on biofortification needs to continue but we need to move beyond just increasing the nutrient content of staples,” – Alvaro Durand-Morat
Carolina Gonzalez, thematic leader of Foresight and Applied Economics for Impact at the Alliance, is one of those individuals. She encourages communities to focus on first understanding their community’s needs before jumping into solutions. She said understanding what characteristics the rice should have was key to making sure that consumers would accept the rice.
Maria Fernanda Alvarez, the Director of the Alliance’s Crops for Nutrition and Health research area, stressed the importance of these findings. She underscored their significance on a macro-level. In particular, she noted that Colombia continues to deal with a heavy burden of hunger and nutrition, with those in rural and coastal areas particularly affected. The ongoing introduction of biofortified rice—rice enhanced with vitamin A—holds the promise of bridging some of these gaps.
Future Directions for Biofortification
Should BIOZn035 find success, it could serve as a model for further efforts to improve food security through biofortification. The research further indicates that the next step would be to make targeted nutrition programs a priority.
“These findings should encourage research investors and governments to implement nutrition programs to increase support for biofortification research,” – Robert Andrade
Colombia has been a world leader in re-shaping its approach to its nutritional challenges. The country remains firmly committed to pursuing solutions that are effective, logical and culturally palatable. This approach champions the development of healthier communities and helps create economic stability in agricultural communities that are economically dependent on established monocrops.