High rates of micronutrient deficiency persist in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and disproportionately impact populations with limited access to nutrient-rich foods. In response, national agricultural research programs and international organizations are prioritizing biofortification as a strategy to improve the nutritional value of staple crops. This presentation will examine efforts to scale these crops throughout the region and summarize specific research and applied interventions that address the broader food system, exploring the intersections of policy, processing, market access, the food environment, and human behavior.

Dr. Victor Taleon is a Research Fellow at IFPRI, specializing in the nexus of crop biofortification and food processing. With a Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology from Texas A&M University, he investigates the stability and bioavailability of micronutrients in staple crops like maize, beans, and rice. His research focuses on the post-harvest value chain to identify strategies that preserve the nutritional benefits of biofortified foods from farm to plate. Dr. Taleon collaborates with partners across Africa, South Asia, and Latin America to scale these solutions and combat hidden hunger.