In a strategy to tackle chronic anaemia and undernutrition, the Indian government is planning to ensure the distribution of fortified rice through the Integrated Child Development Services and Mid Day Meal Schemes from 2021. This nationwide initiative will particularly target Aspirational districts. The decision resulted from a review meeting of a prevailing pilot scheme which aims to provide fortified rice in 15 districts.
Overview of the Existing Scheme
The current centrally-sponsored pilot program was given approval in February 2019 for a duration of three years starting from 2019-20. The project identified one district each from 15 primarily rice-consuming States. However, reports show that only 5 States — Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh — began the fortified rice distribution in their chosen pilot districts. To date, the scheme has only been executed in these five districts, even though more than half of the project’s duration has gone by.
Renewed Push for Fortified Rice Distribution
In an attempt to expand the program, the Food Corporation of India has been directed to increase the annual supply of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) from the present 15,000 tonnes to a minimum of 1.3 lakh tonnes. To cover the Public Distribution System, anganwadis and mid-day meals across 112 aspirational districts, there is a need to raise the annual supply capacity to approximately 1.3 lakh tonnes. Moreover, the existing rice mills will be furnished with Blending Machines to mix FRK with standard rice.
Other Related Initiatives
Alongside fortifying rice, measures such as the Milk Fortification Project were initiated in 2017 by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), World Bank, and Tata Trusts. This project aimed at counteracting vitamin deficiency among consumers. The most recent development is the declaration of September as Poshan Maah or Nutrition month, observing a range of activities aimed at improving antenatal care, optimal breastfeeding, anaemia, growth monitoring, girls education, diet, right age of marriage, hygiene and sanitation, and promoting healthy eating habits through food fortification.
Fortified Rice Kernels: An Overview
The process of rice fortification requires grinding broken rice into powder, combining it with nutrients, and then shaping this mixture into rice-like kernels through an extrusion process. These kernels are then blended with normal rice in a ratio that varies from 1:50 to 1:200.
Understanding the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Launched on October 2nd, 1975, the ICDS Scheme delivers a six-service package to children aged between 0-6 years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
Introduction to the Mid-day Meal Scheme
The Mid Day Meal Scheme was introduced in 1995. It stipulates that every child within the age group of six to fourteen years studying in classes I to VIII who enrolls and attends school shall be provided with a hot cooked meal, free of charge every day except on school holidays.
A Brief on Aspirational Districts
Launched in January 2018 with the objective of swiftly improving the socio-economic status of 117 districts, the Aspirational Districts programme aims for quick transformations in districts showing relatively less progress in key social areas.
About Food Fortification
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), food fortification is the practice of deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrients to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply. There are different types of food fortification based on target populations and market demands. The extent to which a national or regional food supply is fortified varies greatly.