Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved continuation of supply of free Fortified Rice under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes from July 2024 to December 2028. In accordance with the Prime Minister’s 75th Independence Day speech, the extension of the Rice Fortification initiative is expected to further strengthen the measures adopted under the Government of India’s Anaemia Mukt Bharat strategy.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on October 9, 2024, approved the extension of the free fortified rice supply under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes, in its present form from July, 2024 to December, 2028.
The program aims to combat anemia and micronutrient deficiencies and will be fully funded by the Central Government as part of PMGKAY (Food Subsidy), thus providing a unified institutional mechanism for implementation, with a substantial financial allocation of Rs 17,082 crore. With an estimated annual budget of Rs 2,565 crore, this initiative aims to prevent 16.6 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) annually, translating into healthcare savings of Rs 49,800 crore in GDP terms.
The associated costs for the Public Distribution System (PDS) are viewed as a worthwhile investment in enhancing the overall health of the people. (The additional expenditure will be part of the Union government’s food subsidy, which has been allocated Rs 2.05 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024.)
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the initiative is focused on ensuring inclusive nutritional security across the country. The free fortified rice will be provided through key welfare schemes like the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and PM POSHAN, covering all States and Union Territories.
This long-term initiative showcases the government’s dedication to enhancing the health and nutritional well-being of the vulnerable population, with a particular focus on addressing anemia and micronutrient deficiencies. By extending the program, the government seeks to ensure nutritional security for millions of Indians over the next five years.
What is fortified rice
Fortified rice is a type of rice that has been enhanced with essential vitamins and minerals to improve its nutritional value. The fortification entails applying a coating of essential micronutrients to regular rice. The process of fortification makes sure that the micronutrients are uniformly distributed all around the rice kernels. The most frequently used nutrients in this process include iron, folic acid, and various B-complex vitamins.
Fortified rice looks and tastes like regular rice, and delivers a greater nutritional benefit per serving, providing more essential nutrients than normal rice. Some key benefits of fortified rice include-
- The intake of folic acid helps prevent an increase in birth defects in newborns.
- Enriched with B-vitamins such as thiamin and niacin
- The process does not alter the flavor or texture of the rice.
- A cost-effective method for delivering specific micronutrients.
- Offers additional iron to help prevent anemia.
Fortified rice in India
Rice fortification is a globally recognized method to address anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in vulnerable populations. According to the World Health Organization’s meta-analysis, rice fortification can lower the risk of iron deficiency by 35%.
In India, where 65% of people consume rice as a staple food, it serves as an ideal vehicle for delivering essential nutrients. Currently, the government distributes approximately 38 million tonnes of iron-fortified rice to 800 million beneficiaries through the PMGKAY or free ration scheme. Around 21,000 rice mills have installed blending equipment to support this initiative.
India still grapples with the malnutrition challenge. According to the National Family Health Survey (2019-2021), the anemia continues to be a significant problem in India, affecting children, women, and men across diverse demographics. In addition to iron deficiency, there are notable deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12 and folic acid, which adversely impact the overall health and productivity of the population.
With this backdrop, in Aug 2021, the Prime Minister announced rice fortification in government welfare schemes. Further, in 2022, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved phased national rollout and supply of Fortified Rice under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) as Central Sector Initiative (100% GoI funds) up to 30.06.2024 with a proposed expenditure of Rs.4269.76 cr.
- Phase I (2021-2022), Covered Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and PM POSHAN.
- Phase II (2022-2023), Added TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System) and OWS (Other welfare Schemes) in 291 districts.
- Phase III (2023-2024), Extended to remaining districts.
- March 2024, All three phases of the fortified rice program have been successfully completed, achieving universal coverage in government schemes by March 2024, and custom-milled rice has been replaced with fortified rice under all government schemes.
In India, the consumption of fortified rice is regulated by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), through the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018 (FSS). As per the FSSAI standards for fortified rice, a fortified rice product must contain the following added nutrients per kilogram of rice: iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12.
- IRON: 28 mg-42.5 mg (as ferric pyrophosphate) or sodium iron, ethylene diamine tetra acetate, trihydrate: 14 mg-21.25 mg
- FOLIC ACID: 75 mcg – 125 mcg
- VITAMIN B12 (Cyanocobalamine or hydroxycobalamin): 0.75 mcg – 1.25 mcg
The fortification process must ensure uniform distribution of micronutrients across all rice kernels. Furthermore, the Fortified rice requires specific packaging to protect its added nutrients from breaking down during storage and transport. The packaging material is selected based on the nutrient type and the rice’s ability to maintain freshness.
As per the FSSAI standards, the label on fortified rice should feature the following statements or similarly informative messages.
- The fact that the rice is fortified
- The specific micronutrient(s) used and its/their concentration
- FSSAI food fortification program logo
Besides providing fortified rice, the Government of India has also introduced various schemes and programs across different ministries and departments to improve nutritional intake and encourage healthy living throughout the country. Some of the major Nutrition Schemes are:
- POSHAN Abhiyaan
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
- Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)- formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
Recognizing the vital role of nutrition in creating a healthier nation, the Cabinet’s approval to extend this program represents a major step in combating malnutrition and improving the well-being of millions. As part of the drive toward Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to eradicate all forms of malnutrition, India’s rice fortification initiative is one of the most impactful measures in addressing anemia and micronutrient deficiencies. By enriching the rice distributed through government programs, the initiative aims to meet the nutritional needs of the underprivileged, contributing to a stronger and healthier India.
