Rice fortification

Rice fortification

Context:

The Uion cabinet approved the continuation of the universal supply of fortified rice as a central sector initiative, as part of PMGKAY (Food Subsidy), from July 2024 until December 2028.

Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)

What is Rice fortification?

  • According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), it is a process where essential micronutrients are deliberately added to improve the nutritional quality that enhances health and minimizes diseases.

Need for Rice Fortification:

  • High Malnutrition rates: India grapples with high levels of malnutrition. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5)-
    • 35.5% of children under age five are stunted.
    • 19.3% are wasted.
    • 32.1% are underweight.
    • 3% are overweight.
    • 18.7% of women aged 15-49 years are malnourished
  • Widespread Anemia: Anemia affects about 53% of women and 58% of children under five in India, primarily due to iron deficiency. Fortified Rice can help reduce this as it contains essential iron and other micronutrients.
  • Hidden Hunger: It refers to lack of essential vitamins and minerals in the diet, even when calorie intake is sufficient. Rice fortification addresses this by enriching rice with nutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, which are crucial for overall health but often missing from diets.
  • Boosting Cognitive and Physical Development:
    • Proper nutrition, especially in early childhood, is crucial for brain development and overall physical health.
    • Fortified rice can play a critical role in reducing developmental delays and improving cognitive outcomes among children.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY):

  • It is a food security welfare scheme introduced by the Central Government in March 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • It was part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP), aimed at supporting the poor in combating the impact of the pandemic.
  • Objective: To ensure food security for India’s poorest citizens by distributing grain through the Public Distribution System (PDS). This includes all priority households (ration cardholders) and those identified under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). AAY, launched in 2000, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme designed to provide highly subsidized food to the most economically disadvantaged families.
  • Entitlement: Eligible ration cardholders under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 were entitled to receive 5 kg of free wheat or rice per person per month, in addition to the 5 kg of food grains they were already entitled to under the NFSA.
  • Implementing Agency: Implemented by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.
  • Merger with NFSA: In December 2022, PM-GKAY was merged with the NFSA. Following this merger, the full entitlement of 5 kg (for regular beneficiaries) and 35 kg (for AAY beneficiaries) of food grains was made available free of cost. This provided legal entitlement for the poor to receive 5 kg of food grains without any charge, as opposed to the earlier rates of Rs 3 per kg for rice and Rs 2 per kg for wheat.
  • Extension of PM-GKAY: The government extended the scheme for an additional five years starting January 1, 2024, after its previous extension ended on December 31, 2023.