DC Kiphire T Wati Aier, NCS inaugurating the launching event to mark the start of distribution of fortified rice in public distribution system for Kiphire district on April 20.
Kiphire, April 20 (MExN): The Department of Food & Civil Supplies (FCS) in collaboration with Centre for Health Research & Innovation (CHRI) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) Foundation held a launching event to mark the start of distribution of fortified rice in public distribution system (PDS) for Kiphire district.
It was held at Conference Hall, DC Office Kiphire on April 20 with T Wati Aier, NCS Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire as special guest, stated a press release.
The DC Kiphire in his address informed that fortified rice is well accepted concept in other countries and now will be implemented in India too. He also stressed on benefits of being an Aspirational District and various other programmes running in the district. He urged all the stakeholders to promote the concept of fortified rice among the masses.
Surbhi Dhawan, Project Lead, CHRI in her technical session briefed the concept of fortification, enabling policy environment and key awareness messages. It was explained that fortified rice is prepared by mixing Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) with regular rice in the ratio of 1:100. It was stressed that FRK is prepared by mixing rice flour mixed with multi-micronutrient premix and that it looks, cooks and tastes like regular rice but with increased nutrients namely Iron, Folic acid and Vitamin B12.
Dr Kapenlo Thong, Deputy Director and State Nodal Officer for Rice Fortification, Food &Civil Supplies(FCS) highlighted the need for rice fortification in PDS. As per NFHS 5, the prevalence of anaemia has risen among children and women which is alarming and needs to be addressed through an effective strategy. He mentioned that rice fortification is an opportunity to improve the nutritional status of the people in Nagaland and after Kiphire it will be rolled out in all other districts in phase wise manner.
The event was attended by officials from various departments, i.e., Department of School Education, Medical, Social Welfare, Rural Development and FCS. Several Civil Society organizations, FPS owners, school headmasters, Cook Cum Helpers, Anganwadi Workers and ASHA workers also participated in the program.
E Pangjei Konyak, Assistant Director FCS, Kiphire welcomed all the guests and shared the objectives of the launch event.
The event concluded with vote of thanks by Y Renthungo Humtsoe, Sr Inspector, FCS.
On April 7, 2022, the union cabinet approved the distribution of fortified rice through Targeted Public Distribution System. It is expected that, all the rice distributed in PDS will be replaced by fortified rice by 2024 in entire country in a phased manner. In Nagaland, Kiphire has been selected as the aspirational district to roll out the rice fortification scheme. As fortified rice is already being distributed in Anganwadi services and PM Poshan scheme in Nagaland, with the introduction of fortified rice in PDS, all the beneficiaries under the three food safety schemes in Kiphire will receive fortified rice instead of regular rice.
