Enriching Rice with Essential Nutrients

ENSURING access to proper nutrition is a crucial component of public health and a fundamental role of the welfare state. In a resolute move on Independence Day 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a strategic initiative to counter micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition by mandating the fortification of rice across all social safety net programmes by 2024.

- Amit Kapoor and Mukul Anand

A significant span of three years has transpired post the announcement, positioning fortified rice for distribution in every district of each state, barring those mainly reliant on wheat consumption. The principal objective is to enrich rice with essential nutrients, particularly in regions where rice serves as a dietary cornerstone, thus concurrently mitigating micronutrient deficits.

Rice, being a staple sustenance for 65 per cent of India’s populace and a staple within government safety net programmes, holds immense potential for enhancing nutrition by incorporating essential vitamins and minerals. The concept of nutrition access encapsulates various dimensions, including Accessibility, Availability, Acceptability, Affordability, Adequacy, and Awareness. Together, these aspects shape the convenience and effectiveness individuals experience when accessing and utilising these vital services.

Accessibility involves the ease of accessing a service based on its location, considering both proximity and time. India’s efforts in social assistance target vulnerable segments, leveraging three existing programmes to enhance nutrition via food fortification: Public Distribution System (PDS) for 800 million individuals, PM Poshan School Lunch Programme for 118 million students, and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) for 110 million recipients. Integrating fortified rice into these schemes combats micronutrient deficiencies at scale, improving accessibility. Proximity of ration shops, provision of school meals, and availability of nutrition centres enhance access. These initiatives, well-tuned at the grassroots level, exhibit India’s administrative efficiency and sustainable resource use, ensuring ample service provision.