Fortification: A Multi Stakeholder Approach

Inauguration of workshop by dignitaries

Micro-nutrient: whose requirement is comparatively low for human body but plays pivotal role in management of body functions. Micronutrients facilitate production of enzymes, hormones and other substances needed for growth and development. Deficiency of these can cause severe as well as life-threatening illness and claims human life. Most observed micronutrient deficiency includes Iron, Vit-A, and Iodine. 

Globally near about 2 billion people affected by micronutrient deficiencies. A majority of these from developing countries like India. Although peoples belong to different categories vulnerable to this, still women and children are the most vulnerable ones. In order to address these GoI has taken several initiatives like: Food supplementation program, micronutrient supplementation interventions, Awareness generation through public health education interventions etc. Still a large proportion of the people suffering from micronutrient deficiency. Among all type of micronutrient deficient disorders, Anaemia (Iron deficient, Pernicious/Megaloblastic anaemia) is one of the critical micronutrient deficiency disorders which claims high mortality and morbidity. 

Technical Sessions during Workshop

To reduce the prevalence of anaemia, Govt. of India started rice fortification initiative with addition of micronutrients like: Iron, Folic Acid and Vit-B12 to staple cereal rice. Rice fortification is a complex phenomenon with involvement of multiple stakeholders. The production started with production of vitamin /mineral premix and end with blending of FRKs with normal rice in given ratio. Other players like different Govt. departments (FCS&CA, FS&DA, FCI, S&ME, W&CD), Private NABL accredited Labs, Technical support agencies plays an important role in ensuring quality of products and channelizing distribution.

Earlier FCI-Uttarakhand has organized one workshop to share details of production, storage, cooking methods of fortified rice with different stakeholders. Following this; it has also organized one workshop on production, quality control & quality assurance, storage process needs to be followed during FRK manufacturing. Different key players like FRK manufacturers, Rice millers, department officials of FCS&CA, FCI were invited to the workshop for orientation. WFP team participated and facilitated technical maters with the participants during the workshop.