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.