The government of India has deployed the full-scale distribution of fortified rice to its food safety Networks by March 2024 in a major push to address widespread anemia and micronutrient deficiencies. With a budgetary sanction of Rs 17,082 crore, this plan will last till December 2028.
A Central Vector of Anemia Mukt Bharat
The initiative is one of the foundations of Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB). Forts rice, iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 fortified rice, is now offered by such large schemes as the distributive system (PDS) and the PM POSHAN service of school meal, substituting normal rice to millions of recipients.
A Multi-Product Strategy to Nutrition
The approach is not limited to rice only The government encourages the holistic concept by distributing at the same time.
Double Fortified Salt (DFS): Iron and Iodine have been added to this salt, to tackle anemia and goitre.
Fortified Oils: These are oils that are enriched with vitamins A and D to solve deficiencies.
This combination is guaranteed to provide every type of micronutriment to vulnerable groups.
Threat to urge populations at risk
The groups at high risk are specifically targeted in the initiative:
School Children: Fortified rice in PM POSHAN meals will be used to promote cognitive growth as well as learning.
Women and Adolescents: Special plans releasing fortified foods to decrease anemia and promote health within this demography exists.
Subsidiary initiatives, such as Gift Milk program add to the efforts of child nutrition by giving fortified milk.
Economic Wider Impact
The food processing ministry assists this nutrition objective by promoting integrated nutritional schemes that help in generating infrastructure, waste reduction, and employment in the food industry. This fortifies the whole system, including process of production to distribution, and nutritional security of the country on a long-term basis.
Month: Current Affairs - August 26, 2025
Category: current affairs daily