India Extends Fortified Rice Initiative to Combat Malnutrition Until 2028

The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has extended the supply of fortified rice through various schemes until December 2028. This initiative aims to tackle anaemia and micronutrient deficiency, benefiting 80 crore citizens, with a financial implication of Rs 17,082 crore.

The Union Cabinet, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's chairmanship, has sanctioned the continuation of the universal supply of fortified rice across all government schemes until December 2028. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that this initiative, funded entirely by the central government, is part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), aiming to provide a unified approach to implementation.

Designed to combat anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies, the project supplies fortified rice through various welfare schemes, including the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS). The push for nutritional security aligns with Prime Minister Modi's national agenda, having successfully reached universal coverage by March 2024, after completing three phases initiated by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in April 2022.

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) outlines the persisting anaemia and mineral deficiencies across diverse demographics in India. As 65% of Indians consume rice regularly, fortifying rice with micronutrients like Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12 stands as a strategic intervention. The government plans to deploy 27 NABL labs for Fortified Rice Kernel testing and 11 for vitamin-mineral pre-mix testing, with Rs 11,000 crore allocated for enhancing supply chain infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies.)