Peru | Iron-biofortified potatoes

2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers: Gabriela Del Pilar Burgos Zapata

Gabriela Del Pilar Burgos Zapata is a visionary scientist redefining how agriculture can directly improve human health. Through her pioneering leadership in biofortification, she is transforming staple crops into powerful tools to combat hidden hunger, delivering essential micronutrients to vulnerable populations. Her research at the International Potato Center has positioned potatoes and sweet potatoes as key vehicles for improving nutrition and reducing micronutrient deficiencies worldwide. A groundbreaking achievement is her leadership in developing iron-biofortified potatoes to address anemia in the Andean highlands. Her work generated the first evidence in humans demonstrating the remarkable bioavailability of iron from potatoes, with the potential to meet up to half of women’s daily iron requirements. Burgos is currently pioneering the deployment of iron-biofortified potato varieties across anemia hotspots in the Andes. By bridging plant science, nutrition and public health, she has created a sustainable pathway to deliver life-changing nutrients through staple crops.