Articles

Micronutrient malnutrition, often called ‘hidden hunger’, remains a major global public health challenge, especially in low and middle income countries where rice is the staple food. As conventional rice lacks provitamin A in its grain, populations relying on rice based diets are at a greater risk of Vitamin A deficiency, leading to blindness, weakened immunity and increased child mortality. Golden rice was developed through genetic engineering as a biofortified crop that produces beta carotene in the rice endosperm providing a sustainable dietary source of Vitamin A. The introduction of a carotenoid biosynthetic gene enables beta carotene accumulation, giving the grains their characteristic golden colour and enhanced nutritional value. Compared with Vitamin A supplementation, food fortification and dietary diversification, Golden rice offers a complementary, affordable and long term approach to reducing micronutrient deficiencies. However, its widespread adoption is limited by regulatory challenges, public concerns, nutrient loss after harvest and consumer acceptance. Continued advances in breeding, genome editing and biofortification and supportive policies are expected to improve its effectiveness and availability. Overall, Golden rice is a promising biotechnological innovation with the potential to reduce Vitamin A deficiency and hidden hunger in rice dependent populations.