Context:
The Government of India has extended the Universal Fortified Rice Distribution Scheme until December 2028, backed by a ₹17,082 crore allocation. This marks a major public health and nutrition initiative to fight widespread micronutrient deficiencies, especially anaemia among children, women, and vulnerable groups.
Objectives and Benefits:
- Combat Malnutrition: Reduce anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies among the population.
- Improve Public Health: Enhance nutritional standards and overall health of the population.
- Support Vulnerable Populations: Provide essential nutrients to those in need, particularly children and women.
About Fortified Rice
Fortified rice is regular rice that has been enhanced with micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12. It's a strategy to combat malnutrition by making rice, a staple food for many, a source of essential vitamins and minerals. The fortification process involves adding fortified rice kernels (FRK) to regular rice, often at a ratio of 1:100.
The fortified rice is distributed through key welfare programs like PM POSHAN, Public Distribution System (PDS), and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
Reasons for extension of scheme:
- India has one of the highest rates of anaemia, especially among women, adolescent girls, and children. As per NFHS-5 (2019–21), over 57% of women and 67% of children under five are anaemic.
- Micronutrient deficiencies, known as "hidden hunger", contribute to poor cognitive development, low immunity, and maternal complications. Fortified rice, enriched with iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, helps tackle these deficiencies at scale.
- Two-thirds of India’s population consumes rice daily, especially in PDS-dependent households. Leveraging an already widespread distribution network (PDS, Mid-Day Meals, ICDS) ensures high reach and impact.
- Supports the Right to Food, Right to Education, and Right to Health as part of Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 47).
Various schemes for address malnutrition:
Several Government of India schemes and initiatives focus on addressing malnutrition, particularly among children, women, and adolescent girls:
- Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) / Mission Poshan 2.0: This multi-ministerial mission, launched in 2018, aims to improve the nutritional status of adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children aged 0-6 years by reducing stunting, underweight prevalence, anemia, and low birth weight.
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme: This umbrella scheme includes Anganwadi Services (providing supplementary nutrition and health services to young children and mothers), the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (addressing their nutritional needs), and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which offers cash incentives to pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: This act provides subsidized foodgrains to a large portion of the population and includes nutritional support for women and children through schemes like PM POSHAN and ICDS, as well as maternity benefits.
- PM POSHAN (POshan SHAkti Nirman) Scheme: Formerly the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, this program aims to improve the nutritional status and school attendance of children in government and government-aided schools.
Conclusion:
The extension of the Universal Fortified Rice Distribution Scheme demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in India. With its comprehensive coverage and nutritional benefits, this initiative has the potential to significantly improve public health outcomes and support vulnerable populations
