Strengthening the PMPOSHAN Scheme through supply and awareness on Fortified Rice

Training of Teachers, Roorkee

Government of India has continuously evolved its school nutrition program, originally launched in 1995 as the National Program of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NPE) to Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme in 2003-04 and further rebranded in 2017 as PMPOSHAN, the program now has a stronger focus on nutrition outcomes.

Initial aim of the above programs was to increase school enrolment & attendance and combating classroom hunger while the program now targets in reducing malnutrition and improving the nutrition profile of school children. In this regard, additional nutrition programs, including the provision of milk, seasonal fruits, and millet, have been introduced.

Training of Teachers P. Garhwal

To address micronutrient deficiencies, the Government has adopted food fortification as a cost-effective strategy. This includes supplying fortified food products under various Govt. Schemes. In this connection supply of fortified rice across all three Food Safety Net schemes, including PMPOSHAN has been undertaken by the state. The rollout of fortified rice in Uttarakhand schools started during the second phase of implementation.

Challenges Identified

The UN World Food Programme (UNWFP) conducted monitoring visits to different schools as part of technical assistance to Govt. of Uttarakhand and observed that due to a lack of awareness, Fortified Rice Kernels (FRKs) were being discarded by school staff, preventing the intended benefits from reaching the children. To address this, UNWFP advocated for the orientation of teachers and Cook-Cum-Helpers (CCHs) on fortified rice.

 

Capacity Building Initiative:

Working closely with the PM-POSHAN team, a block-wise training schedule for all 95 blocks was developed. Over the course of two months, the UNWFP team, in coordination with the Technical Support Unit (TSU) from UPES-Dehradun, conducted rigorous training sessions. A total of 7,110 participants (teachers and PMPOSHAN in-charges) from 69 blocks across 11 districts were trained on the fortified rice program.

Next Step

The team continues to coordinate with the remaining areas to ensure complete coverage. With this initiative, we aim to reach 10,000-12,000 schools, improving nutrition awareness and ensuring the fortified rice program reaches the children who need it the most.

Block Development Committee Meeting: A convergence platform between the people’s representatives and the Line Officials of different departments

The UN WFP team, along with the DoFCS&CA Uttarakhand, participated in one of the Block Development Committee Meetings of Chiniyalisaur, Uttarkashi. The meeting was chaired by the Pramukh (Chairman Panchayat Samiti) and attended by other dignitaries such as the CDO-Uttarkashi, Chairman-Zilla Panchayat, MLA representatives, and officials from various government departments. Additionally, PRI members (Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti members, Zilla Parishad Members) from all 81 Panchayats in the district were present, totaling nearly 140 participants. The meeting commenced around 11:00 AM and continued until 5:00 PM. The agenda began with a review of the PMGSY program, followed by discussions on the PWD, Water Resources, Rural Construction, Transport, Electricity, Health and Family Welfare, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Education, Social Welfare, Irrigation, Jal Sansthan, Food, Civil Supply, Consumer Affairs, and other departments sequentially. 

Major Observations: 

• Certain issues, delayed due to inter-departmental coordination, were resolved on the spot with the intervention of the district administration. 

• PRIs had the opportunity to raise issues needing immediate action directly with the district administration. 

• Only 5-7 PRIs actively participated in the discussion by raising issues of non-compliance to previous suggestions. 

• Involvement of women representatives was very low, with only 1-2 female representatives raising any issues throughout the day. 

• Due to the participation large number of departments and not fixed time slots, the representation of all departments is not uniform. 

• The major focus of the discussion was on construction and infrastructure development-related works rather than other programs aimed at ensuring societal development. 

For the first time, I was able to participate in such a platform that can have an immense impact if utilized systematically and justly. Instead of using this as a Q&A forum, we can leverage it to share information on new programs, projects, and government initiatives, improve the knowledge and understanding of PRIs, guide the preparation of Panchayat-level action plans, and monitor progress. Though some of these actions were undertaken here, they were not systematic. Similar actions can be implemented in other blocks, districts, and states to foster a bottom-up approach to development. We have used this platform to generate awareness of the Fortified Rice Program implemented to address the issue of malnutrition in the state of Uttarakhand.

Participants during BDC-Chiniyali Sour, Uttarkashi

Capacity Building of Supply Wing Officials of DoFCS&CA-UK to Address the Myths and Misconceptions on Fortified Rice

Training of Dept.Officials, Almora

The Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs of Uttarakhand (DoFCS&CA-UK) operates two wings i.e Marketing and Supply to ensure the smooth implementation of various programs in the state. The Marketing Wing focuses primarily on procurement, processing, storage, and quality control and assurance measures. In contrast, the Supply Wing ensures proper supply chain management to reach end users, addresses public issue, and handles other related tasks.

In recent months, the DoFCS&CA-UK has observed an increase in myths and misconceptions about fortified rice among people in different regions of the state. While departmental officials have attempted to address these issues, to enhance the efforts of the field functionaries, the DoFCS&CA has planned an orientation program for all Supply Wing field functionaries. Approximately 250 Supply Wing officials from all 13 districts of Uttarakhand are expected to be trained. Additionally, the orientation program for Marketing Wing officials will also focus on new policy guidelines.

RFC-Kumaon during Orientation

The UN World Food Programme, in collaboration with the DoFCS&CA, planned and executed orientations for line officials at various locations. The primary focus was on equipping the officials with detailed knowledge about fortified rice, including nutrition deficiencies with a special emphasis on micronutrient deficiencies, fortification as an effective and efficient method to address these issues, the needs and processes of rice fortification, storage of fortified rice, quality control and assurance measures, and addressing myths and misconceptions.

Media Coverage of Orientation

It is expected that the trained officials will pass this knowledge on to grassroots-level workers such as Fair Price Shop owners, Anganwadi Workers, and teachers/cook-cum-helpers. This information dissemination at the community level is anticipated to help address issues related to anaemia and malnutrition.

Promotion of Fortified Rice in The Eat Right Walkathon and Millet Mela in Dehradun

Hon'ble Governor-UK visiting stall

Recently, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India's North Region orchestrated a significant event, the "Eat Right Walkathon and Millet Mela," in Dehradun. This initiative was meticulously crafted to foster awareness regarding safe food practices and the importance of a balanced diet among various stakeholders.

Information sharing with participants

Amidst the growing concern over micronutrient deficiencies at a population level, both the Government of India and Food Business Operators (FBOs) have been steadfastly advocating for food fortification. A key stride in this endeavor is the introduction of fortified rice, particularly aimed at combatting iron deficiency anemia prevalent in communities. The Government of India has taken the reins by integrating fortified rice into all food safety net schemes, including TPDS, ICDS, and PMPOSHAN, on a nationwide scale. The phased rollout of this program now encompasses all states and districts, with Uttarakhand following suit since April 2023.

Receiving Award

In a collaborative effort to support the implementation of the Rice Fortification Program in Uttarakhand, the UN World Food Program has teamed up with the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) to establish a Technical Support Unit (TSU). This unit works closely with the state's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the seamless execution of the program. As part of their engagement, TSU members actively participated in the Eat Right Walkathon, aligning with the government's mission to raise awareness about fortified rice.

Students visited to the stall

The Walkathon received a distinguished inauguration by the esteemed Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh, the Honorable Governor of Uttarakhand, setting the tone for a day filled with purposeful strides towards healthier living. Participants hailing from diverse backgrounds including academicians, researchers, public health professionals, students, representatives from food and business organizations, as well as community-level workers, came together to champion the cause.

The amalgamation of efforts showcased at the Eat Right Walkathon and Millet Mela underscores the collective commitment towards ensuring food safety and promoting nutritious dietary practices. As we continue to stride forward, let us reaffirm our dedication to building a healthier, fortified future for all. 

IEC/BCC Interventions for Awareness Generation among Community on Fortified Rice

Counseling by Students

Anaemia continues to be a major public health concern in India. Despite several programs implemented by the Government of India in coordination with state governments and various ministries, the issue persists. Collating learning from evidence-based solutions and past implementation experiences, the Government of India has taken a proactive step by initiating the rice fortification program across the country.

Students with key beneficiaries

The Department of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (DoFCS&CA)Uttarakhand piloted the program in select districts and officially scaled up the implementation to all 13 districts of Uttarakhand in April 2023. However, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning the level of awareness among stakeholders, including beneficiaries and end-users of the program. Additionally, a lack of convergence among various stakeholders such as government departments, academic institutes, development partners, and frontline workers also hampers implementation efforts.

Meeting with beneficiaries

To address these challenges and raise awareness among key stakeholders and beneficiaries regarding fortified rice, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Behavior Change Communication (BCC) interventions were undertaken by students of the Technical Support Unit at the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) in Bidholi village, Sahaspur block, Dehradun district. The workshop saw participation from frontline workers such as Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), Fair Price Shop Owners, and Teachers, as well as officials from the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) department, the Technical Support Unit team, and representatives from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The workshop aimed to disseminate information related to fortified rice to beneficiaries, including Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers, and Women of reproductive age.

With School Children