Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of fortified rice distribution under all government welfare schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), from July 2024 to December 2028. This initiative aims to address malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies across the country by ensuring fortified rice is provided through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and other welfare schemes.
The programme, funded entirely by the central government under PMGKAY’s food subsidy program, will provide a comprehensive and unified mechanism for the implementation of rice fortification. The Prime Minister first emphasized the importance of nutritional security during his Independence Day address in 2021, spotlighting the need to address widespread anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies.
Fortified rice, enriched with essential micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12, plays a vital role in combating malnutrition in India, where rice is a staple food for 65% of the population. The addition of these nutrients to regular rice helps tackle deficiencies, especially among vulnerable groups such as children, women, and low-income communities.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had previously approved the nationwide implementation of rice fortification in April 2022, setting a target for full coverage by March 2024. With the successful completion of all three phases, fortified rice is now supplied across all government schemes, including the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) and PM POSHAN, formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal scheme.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), conducted between 2019 and 2021, anaemia remains a critical issue affecting people across various age groups and income levels. Fortification of staple foods like rice has proven to be an effective global strategy to address such health challenges. This extension of fortified rice supply through government initiatives is expected to further bolster efforts to reduce malnutrition and improve overall public health.
The government’s sustained commitment to rice fortification underlines the nation's broader goal of enhancing nutritional security and fostering a healthier, more productive population.
