In 2018, Colombia and Guatemala released their first zinc-enriched biofortified maize varieties, as part of efforts to improve food and nutrition security. The varieties were developed using breeding lines from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the CGIAR Research Program on Maize (MAIZE) in partnership with HarvestPlus and the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH).

Zinc is an essential micronutrient that plays a crucial role in pre-natal and post-natal development, and is key to maintaining a healthy immune system. In Colombia, an average of 22 percent of the population is affected by zinc deficiency, with up to 65 percent of the population in certain regions. More than 40 percent of Guatemala’s rural population have been found to be deficient in zinc.

Biofortification increases the amount of vitamins and minerals such as zinc in staple food crops through conventional plant breeding. It is especially effective in improving nutrition, as in the case of high Zinc maize it requires no behavioral changes on the part of consumers. Rather than having to depend on supplements or fortify food, seeds and crops are sourced by farmers, which makes this option more sustainable and accessible, especially in rural areas. Food from biofortified zinc maize tastes the same as that made with non-biofortified maize and has similar grain quality.

The new biofortified varieties offer up to 36 percent more zinc on average than other maize varieties, meaning that food products such as tortillas or arepas made from these varieties can have over 60% more zinc than the same foods from traditional maize — a huge step in improving local health and nutrition.

“The greatest advantage of working with CIMMYT and MAIZE is their quality research and extensive knowledge of maize and wheat,” said Marilia Nutti, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean of HarvestPlus. “Meanwhile, partnerships on the ground with HarvestPlus and the International Center of Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Colombia have helped ensure that this zinc-biofortified maize reaches farmers and consumers.”

The varieties will be marketed by partners in the region including seed companies Semilla Nueva and Maxi Semillas S.A.S.

In 2018 a study on genomic regions for high zinc, “Identification and validation of genomic regions influencing kernel zinc and iron in maize,” led to identification of 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with kernel-Zn. Researchers validated these markers in independent mapping populations and in breeding populations to identify three genomic regions, which when selected in breeding populations, led to an 18% improvement of kernel-Zn.