Prior to the goal date of March 2024, the government would completely implement the rice fortification initiative, a top official from the food ministry said on Tuesday. In his Independence Day speech in 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the government hopes to distribute fortified rice through government programmes by 2024.
In order to address the issue of anaemia in children and women, a plan for the gradual distribution of fortified rice containing the required micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) was introduced in October 2021.
Up to June 2024, when it will be fully implemented, the Centre will cover the whole cost of rice fortification, which is around Rs 2,700 crore annually. “We had planned to complete the universalisation of fortified PDS rice by March 2024. But, with the pace of distribution, we are hopeful of reaching the target before that and the entire PDS (rice) will be fortified …in the next few months,” Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra spoke to reporters.
Chopra further claimed that those with sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia can safely consume enhanced rice. He added that while the human body can tolerate 40–45 mg of iron per day, PDS enhanced rice will only provide 7 mg of iron daily.
Chopra said that 90 nations use food fortification on a global scale.
During the seminar, Chopra stated that, “We are on track to achieve the target of 100 per cent distribution of fortified rice across all rice-consuming districts in the country.”
According to the plan, India’s ICDS and PM POSHAN coverage was to be achieved by March 2022.
The third phase’s goal was to complete coverage of all remaining districts by March 2024. Chopra reported in April of this year that a total of 269 districts in 27 states have begun distributing fortified rice through PDS, meeting the 100% goal set for Phase II by March 2023.
