Rice Supply
Cabinet allocates INR 170.82 bln for fortified rice supply till Dec 2028
This story was originally published at 17:29 IST on 9 October 2024
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--Cabinet OKs INR 170.82 bln scheme for fortified rice till Dec 2028
--Govt: Centre to fund 100% of fortified rice scheme
NEW DELHI – The Union Cabinet has allocated INR 170.82 billion to continue supplying fortified rice under various welfare schemes from July 2024 to December 2028. To address micronutrient deficiencies, the Centre had initiated rice fortification in 2022 and will continue to fund the programme fully as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, the Cabinet said in a release Wednesday.
The programme is meant to benefit 800 million Indians and reduce the incidence of anaemia, stunting of growth, and micronutrient deficiency among vulnerable sections of the population. Rice fortification involves the addition of rice kernels enriched with micronutrients--iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12--to regular custom-milled rice as per standards prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
The release stated that rice is the ideal vehicle for supplying micronutrients in India as the cereal is the staple food of 65% of the country's population.
The government said in the release that it had achieved the target of universal supply of fortified rice, set in April 2022, through schemes launched by March 2024. Fortified rice will be supplied till December 2028 through the Targeted Public Distribution System, Integrated Child Development Service, PM POSHAN, and other welfare schemes, it added.
Anaemia remains a widespread health problem in India that affects children, women, and men across age groups and income levels, as per the National Family Health Survey conducted during 2019-21. Besides iron deficiency, vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency also persist, affecting the health and productivity of the population, according to the release.
The government has invested INR 110 billion across the country to develop a supply chain for fortified rice, including blender installation in rice mills, laboratory testing, and pre-mix vitamin manufacturing, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a media briefing. End
Reported by Afra Abubacker
Edited by Rajeev Pai
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