HYDERABAD: New technological advancements have facilitated rapid assessment of nutrient levels in indigenous food grains through AI-powered methods. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) announced Thursday that researchers are leading a revolution in crop testing by combining AI-driven models with pocket-sized near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) equipment.
These portable sensors allow rapid assessment of nutrient levels in native food grains at the farmer’s doorstep or at the research site. ICRISAT Executive Director Dr. Jacqueline Dallos-Hughes supported the integration of this disruptive technology into key points in breeding pipelines and related value chains.
In line with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) strategy, she foresees this tool becoming a catalyst to boost the production of nutrient-rich crops both in breeding programs and in farmers’ fields, which will reduce malnutrition and reduce malnutrition. is an important element in the global fight against
“This technology is poised to facilitate the breeding of nutritious crops while facilitating their integration into value chains. Our goal with this intervention is to bring quality assurance to the distribution of fortified crops. and to reach those who need it most,” she added.
Traditionally, assessing the nutritional quality of grains and ingredients requires manual or partially automated processes and laboratory equipment that can take weeks. In contrast, mobile NIRS devices are cost-effective and can evaluate more than 150 samples per person per day, ICRISAT said.
These non-destructive and robust grain quality measurement devices provide timely information on grain composition and can be used to facilitate quality-based payments in the marketplace, benefiting food producers, grain processing industries, farmers, etc. brings.
“We believe that the introduction of portable technology to assess grain quality is an important step in the decentralization and democratization of the market system, which is essential to promoting the consumption of nutricereals. “Aware households are moving forward,” said Dr. Sean Mayes, global research director for ICRISAT’s Accelerated Crop Improvement Program. Ta.
In Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, ICRISAT has recommended the Girnar 4 groundnut variety to ensure premium prices for farmers and differentiate it from lower priced varieties. ICRISAT’s Girnar 4 and Girnar 5 groundnut varieties boast oleic acid levels of 75-80 percent, much higher than the 40-50 percent of standard varieties.
Oleic acid is a heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acid and is of great importance to the groundnut market as it provides new end uses for the crop. Increasing consumer awareness of its benefits has increased market demand for high oleic acid in oils and related products.
This pioneering approach was first applied to groundnut breeding, but can be replicated in other crops and can provide an efficient and cost-effective solution to combat malnutrition. . ICRISAT’s Nutrient Exploration Research Facility (FERN Institute) is expanding its predictive models beyond groundnut to cover a variety of traits and crops.
“We are currently developing methods to evaluate oil, oleic acid, linoleic acid, carotenoids, starch, moisture, and phosphorus in a variety of grains and legumes, including finger millet, millet, pearl millet, sorghum, corn, wheat, and chickpea. , mung beans, kidney beans, pigeon peas, cowpeas, soybeans, groundnuts and mustard,” said cluster leader Dr. Yana Horova. Crop Physiology and Modeling, ICRISAT.
(With inputs from IANS)
