. 11/10/2024 7:15 PM
Why in News?
On October 9, 2024, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of the universal supply of fortified rice under all Union government schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), from July 2024 until December 2028. This initiative aims to combat malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies across India.
According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), fortification refers to the deliberate addition of essential micronutrients to food to enhance its nutritional quality and provide public health benefits while minimizing health risks.
India faces significant malnutrition challenges, particularly among women and children. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) indicates that:
50% of women are affected by anemia.
33% of children are stunted.
Widespread deficiencies in iron, Vitamin B12, and folic acid hinder health and productivity.
Rice, a staple for two-thirds of India’s population, is an ideal candidate for fortification to address these malnutrition issues. With a per capita rice consumption of 6.8 kg per month, fortifying rice can effectively supplement the diet of vulnerable populations.
The fortification technologies include:
Coating
Dusting
Extrusion (the most suitable for India)
In the extrusion process, dry rice flour is mixed with micronutrients and water, then passed through an extruder to create fortified rice kernels (FRKs). These kernels are blended with regular rice in a 10g FRK to 1 kg rice ratio, resulting in fortified rice.
According to FSSAI standards, fortified rice contains:
Iron: 28 mg - 42.5 mg
Folic Acid: 75 - 125 micrograms
Vitamin B12: 0.75 - 1.25 micrograms
It may also be enriched with other micronutrients like zinc, vitamin A, and various B vitamins.
Fortified rice is cooked and consumed just like regular rice, retaining its micronutrient levels after cooking. Packaging is marked with a logo (‘+F’) and labeled as “Fortified with Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12.”
The rice fortification initiative began with a commitment from PM Modi in 2015 to fortify rice distributed under government schemes by 2024. The implementation phases included:
Phase 1: Integrated Child Development Services and PM POSHAN by March 2022.
Phase 2: PDS and welfare schemes in 112 Aspirational Districts by March 2023.
Phase 3: Nationwide coverage by March 2024.
The annual cost of rice fortification is approximately ₹2,700 crore, accounting for less than 2% of India’s food subsidy bill. From 2019 to March 2024, 406 lakh metric tonnes of fortified rice were distributed through the PDS. The initiative involves 925 fortified rice manufacturers with a capacity of 111 lakh metric tonnes per annum, and rice mills with a blending capacity of 223 lakh metric tonnes. The government has invested ₹11,000 crore to develop the fortified rice supply chain.
Launched in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, PM-GKAY is a food security welfare scheme designed to help the poorest citizens of India.
The scheme aims to provide grain through the Public Distribution System to all priority households (ration card holders and beneficiaries identified by the Antyodaya Anna Yojana).
Eligible ration cardholders under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 are entitled to 5 kg of free wheat/rice per person per month, in addition to the 5 kg already provided under NFSA.
The Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, oversees the scheme.
In December 2022, PMGKAY was merged with NFSA, ensuring the entire quantity of 5 kg and 35 kg under NFSA is available free of cost, granting the poor a right to receive food grains without charge.
The scheme was extended for five years, starting January 1, 2024, following a previous extension until December 31, 2023.
The NFSA, enacted in 2013, aims to provide food and nutritional security by ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices.
It gives eligible households the legal right to receive food grains at subsidized prices through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), covering up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population, which translates to 67% of the total population.
The extension of the fortified rice scheme under PMGKAY reflects the government's commitment to combating malnutrition and ensuring food security in India. With significant investments and a structured approach to rice fortification, the initiative aims to improve the nutritional quality of food available to the most vulnerable populations.
