Micronutrient Biofortification in Rice through New Breeding Techniques (NBTs): Bangladesh Perspective

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies are serious health issues in developing countries of Asia and Africa,where millions of people are suffering from inadequate micronutrient intake. In Bangladesh, micronutrient deficienciesare found severe due to low income, food habits, and rice-based staple food consumption, (rice has an insufficiency ofdifferent types of vitamins and minerals). To lessen micronutrient malnutrition, supplementation has been employed buthas not yet reached the goal. Agronomic and genetic biofortification has the potential to address micronutrientdeficiencies. Biofortification in Rice grain is a convenient and affordable way to supply the desired micronutrients. Thedevelopment of micronutrient-rich popular rice cultivars through conventional breeding is currently being harnessed forthe limitation of natural resources of the related donor rice cultivars containing the required amount of micronutrients. Toovercome these hurdles of conventional breeding, genetic engineering and genome editing have emerged as promisingtools of micronutrient biofortification in rice. Methods: Identify the needs and explore the potential strategies by the search for relevant literature known to the authorswas carried out to complete this review. Results: Highlighted here the sources, functions, and requirements of iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B9, andbetanin in rice and their biofortification through conventional breeding, genetic engineering, and genome editing includingtheir promises and hindrances. Conclusion: New breeding techniques are timely alternatives for developing nutrient-rich rice cultivars to eliminatehidden hunger and poverty in Bangladesh.