New York scientists aim to beat 'hidden hunger'

As part of World Hunger Day [Sunday 28th May] we're looking at what's
being done to help ease nutritional problems.

A group of scientists in New York state are developing enriched crops
to fight malnutrition.

They've developing crops with higher levels of vital vitamins and
minerals to help the developing world.

Nick Harper reports from Ithaca in New York.

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The United Nations estimated 2 billion people globally, most of them
in developing countries, suffer from the health problem 'hidden
hunger'. They're getting enough food, but what they're eating lacks
enough vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy.
Scientists at Cornell University in Ithaca, in upstate New York are
trying to solve that, working on a process known as biofortification -
combining and rebreeding crops to increase their nutritional content.
Professor Michael Gore, works in Cornell's Plant Breeding and Genetics
Section. He says the cross-breeding is an old-fashioned approach, that
avoids the need for genetic modification.

SOT - Gore

The scientists have developed 100 varieties of 12 major staples, like
these beans, rice and maize.
With the focus on increasing the three most important micro nutrients,
vitamin A, iron and zinc.

natsot - greenhouse
Even though Ithaca is under snow for almost half the year, inside
these greenhouses they're simulating growing conditions in some
sub-Saharan countries. Several iron-rich varieties of beans are
nearing harvest time.
natsot - chickens
At the university's poultry farm, dozens of chickens are then fed the
fortified crops as part of the testing process.
From here the seeds are sent out to farmers in developing countries.
Nutritional Scientist at the university Professor Jere Haas argues
these crops are cheaper than food supplements and more sustainable.

SOT - Haas

The driving force behind it, working with Cornell's scientists, is the
non-profit organization HarvestPlus.
It supplies 20 million people with enriched-seeds to grow their own crops.
But HarvestPlus' CEO Bev Postma has a bigger target.

SOT - Postma

natsound - harvest
For many harvest time has already become healthier.
Now the challenge is increase the supply of biofortified crops to
tackle the global challenges of nutritional, hidden hunger.
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