The researchers at NABI have developed Biofortified coloured wheat with high anthocyanin and zinc content
Mohali based National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 16 companies, and non disclosure agreements with 6 companies for the commercialization of colored wheat.
The researchers at NABI have developed Biofortified coloured wheat (black, blue, purple) with high anthocyanin content 40-140 ppm) compared to white wheat (5-15 ppm). The coloured wheat also has enhanced Zinc content –one of the most deficient micronutrients in the developing countries.
“Industry is looking on it as a new opportunity in the health food sector. It can be easily stored, consumed daily and cooked easily, and a wide range of food products like chapatti, biscuit, dalia, bread, roasted snack etc can be developed from it. NABI has shared its technology with more than 20 companies after signing MOU/NDA with them. Companies are interested in contract farming and marketing different products like atta, dalia, roasted snacks and bakery products. Black wheat is attracting attention of farmers, consumers and industry and it is expected to increase to huge level in the coming years”, said Dr. Monika Garg, Scientist E, NABI.
MoUs have been signed with 16 companies-
1. Borlaugh Farm Association of South Asia, Ludhiana, Punjab 2. Farm Grocer Company, Ambala, Haryana 3. Golden Agrigenetic India Limited, Luckhnow, UP 4. Habitat Genome Improvement, Hisar, Haryana 5. Premier India seed company, Vidisha, MP 6. Urban platter iStore Direct, Mumbai 7. Puddings & Pies, Mohali, Punjab 8. Bishwanath Aggarwal, Bihar 9. Anthograins Pvt. Ltd., Mohali, Punjab 10. DaySpring Foods, Gujarat 11. Tanishk Agro Inputs, Madhya Pradesh 12. DCM SHRIRAM LIMITED, New Delhi 13. Brandom Agro LLP, Muzaffarnagar, U.P 14. Farm Forestry Development Cooperative Ltd. (IFFDC), Gurgaon, Haryana 15. Vikas WSP Limited a company. Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan 16. Aquaagro Green Village Farmers Producer Company Limited, Patna
NDAs have been signed with 6 companies-
1. ITC Ltd. Guntur, AP 2. Meta -Helix Life sciences Ltd. Bengaluru, Karnataka 3. Madam Agro Food Industries Private Limited, Mumbai 4. PREMSONS- Mumbai 5. Bansal Group, Amritsar, Punjab 6. M/s iFoods hospitality, Pune, Maharashtra.