Government extends universal supply of fortified rice until 2028 | Fusion - WeRIndia

The Government of India has approved the continuation of the universal distribution of fortified rice across all central schemes, from July 2024 through December 2028. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is also included.

This decision was made during a Union cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Government stated in this context. That statement emphasized that the rice fortification initiative will be fully funded by the central government as part of PMGKAY’s food subsidy program.

This approach will ensure a unified institutional mechanism for the implementation of fortified rice distribution.

The initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s address on India’s 75th Independence Day, highlighting the critical need for nutritional security across the nation.

As part of this initiative, fortified rice will be supplied through various schemes. These include the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS), the PM POSHAN scheme, and other welfare programs in all states and Union Territories.

The primary aim is to tackle the widespread issue of anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies in the country.

This effort began in April 2022, when the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a phased rollout of the rice fortification initiative, targeting full nationwide implementation by March 2024.

According to the government, all three phases have been successfully completed, with universal coverage achieved by the March 2024 deadline.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted between 2019 and 2021, anaemia remains a major concern in India. It affects children, women, and men across all demographics.

In addition to iron deficiency, other nutrient shortages, such as vitamin B12 and folic acid, continue to affect the population’s health and productivity.

The extension of fortified rice distribution is a significant step in addressing these nutritional challenges and improving the overall well-being of India’s population.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on February 21, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/780256