Publish Date : 17.10.20

Coin of Rs 75 denomination to the Nation to mark the long-standing relation of India with FAO.

ATM News Network, New Delhi, 16th October 2020: On the occasion of 75th Anniversary of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on 16th October 2020, the day is also celebrated as World Food Day. Prime Minister Modi released a commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination to mark the long-standing relation of India with FAO. Prime Minister also dedicated to the Nation 17 recently developed biofortified varieties of 8 crops. The 17 recently developed biofortified varieties of 8 crops to be dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister will have up to the 3.0-fold increase in nutritional value.

The rice variety CR Dhan 315 has high zinc; wheat variety HI 1633 rich in protein, iron and zinc, HD 3298 rich in protein and iron and DBW 303 and DDW 48 rich in protein in wheat; Ladhowal Quality Protein Maize Hybrid 1, 2 and 3 rich in lysine and tryptophan; CFMV1 and 2 of finger millet rich in calcium, iron and zinc; CLMV1 of little Millet rich in iron and zinc; Pusa Mustard 32 with low erucic acid; Girnar 4 and 5 of groundnut with enhanced oleic acid and yam variety Sri Neelima and DA 340 with enhanced zinc, iron and anthocyanin content. These varieties, along with other food ingredients, will transform the normal Indian thali into Nutri-thali.

These varieties have been developed by utilizing the local landraces and farmers varieties. The high zinc rice has been developed from landraces of Assam rice collected from Garo hills and those of finger millets from Gujarat collections of Dang district. The production of biofortified crop varieties will be upscaled and linked with government programmes of mid-day meal, Anganwadi etc. to reduce malnutrition and make India Kuposhan Mukta through naturally enriched food ingredients. This will also usher in the higher income of farmers and will open new avenues of entrepreneurship development.