The recently highlighted Madhuban Gajar, a biofortified carrot variety, has come to aid more than 150 local farmers in Junagadh, Gujarat. By being cultivated over an area exceeding 200 hectares in Junagadh, this carrot variant, yielding an impressive average of 40-50 tonnes per hectare, has successfully transformed into the primary income source for these farmers. This versatile crop also finds its way into value-added productions such as carrot chips, juices, and pickles.
The Biofortified Variety: Madhuvan Gajar
The Madhuvan Gajar is not just any carrot. It is a highly nutritious variety that has been selectively bred to have a significantly higher β-carotene content (277.75 mg/kg), which is an essential source of Vitamin A, and iron content (276.7 mg/kg).
Development and Recognition
The man behind this nutritional marvel is Shri Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya, a farmer scientist hailing from Junagadh district, Gujarat. His noteworthy contribution was acclaimed at the national level when he was presented with a National Award by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi during Festival of Innovation (FOIN)–2017. Further accolades came in 2019 when he was granted the prestigious Padma Shri award for his exceptional work.
The Test of Innovation
The Madhuban Gajar variety of carrot underwent extensive examination by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, a self-governing institute operating under the Department of Science and Technology in the period of 2016-17. The findings revealed a notably higher root yield (74.2 t/ha) and plant biomass (275 gm per plant).
Area of Cultivation
The Madhuban Gajar’s footprint goes beyond Junagadh. It is currently being cultivated on more than 1000 hectares of land dispersed across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
Biofortification: A Nutritional Boost
Biofortification is a groundbreaking process that aims to enhance the nutritional quality of food crops. This strategic enhancement is achieved through agronomic practices, traditional plant breeding, or advanced biotechnology. Biofortification offers an advantageous alternative to conventional fortification as it focuses on elevating nutrient levels in crops during their growth phase, thereby eliminating the need for manual intervention during crop processing.
When leveraged effectively, biofortification can significantly bolster India’s National Nutrition Mission. The government introduced this scheme (now referred to as Poshan Abhiyaan) in March 2018. Backed by a National Nutrition Strategy devised by the NITI Aayog, this mission envisions a “Kuposhan Mukt Bharat” or a malnutrition-free India by 2022.
Festival of Innovation
The Festival of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (FINE), formerly known as Festival of Innovation (FOIN), is an exclusive initiative undertaken by the Office of the President of India. This initiative has been designed to acknowledge, honor, and incentivize grassroots innovations. Apart from this, FINE also endeavors to nurture an atmosphere of support. Hosted every March at the President’s House, FINE has now evolved into a national event that enthusiastically celebrates creativity and innovation at and for the grassroots.
