Biotech Updates

Delivering Nutritionally Enhanced Sorghum to Africa

May 6, 2011

"Improving the nutrition of this staple crop has the potential to change the lives of more than 300 million Africans," said Howard G. Buffet, president of his Foundation. "I have seen first-hand the devastating effects of malnutrition. I have a personal commitment to see that healthier sorghum gets to the people of Africa."

With these pronouncements, a $4 million grant was awarded to the partnership of Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and Dupont to complete the development of biofortified sorghum, a staple in some parts of Africa. The sorghum project focus on increased zinc and iron bioavailability through phytate reduction, improved protein digestibility and increased pro-vitamin A levels. The biofortified sorghum will also be an important alternative to corn which thrive less efficiently in drought-prone areas.

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