S.M. Supriya, C.A. Deepak, G.R. Denesh, G.M. Sandesh, H. R. Savitha, Sahana, S. R. Preetham Hidden, power, rice,zinc-rich, breeding 100-102 Volume 2 (4) July 2026 For billions of people across Asia, rice is not just food it is life. More than half of India’s population depends on this humble grain as their daily staple. But here lies a quiet crisis: rice is a poor source of essential micronutrients. When it forms the bulk of the diet, the consequences are devastating. Zinc deficiency affects an estimated 30 to 40 percent of India’s population, causing stunted growth in children, weakened immune systems, and making millions more vulnerable to disease. The numbers tell a grim story—but science is writing a new chapter.