National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)

Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri. Narendra Modi's visionary initiative to combat the persistent problem of anaemia through rice fortification is a groundbreaking strategy. By mandating the introduction of rice fortification into all social safety net schemes by 2024, this approach enriches rice with essential micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12. It serves as an efficient and cost-effective complementary strategy to swiftly address nutritional deficiencies, especially in a country where rice is a staple for 65 percent of the population. However, it is essential to recognize that while rice fortification provides an immediate solution, ensuring access to and affordability of diverse, nutritious diets remains vital for a sustainable, long-term strategy.

FICSI entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and established a collaborative partnership with IIT Delhi as part of the IHRF initiative. The goal is to create a robust skilling infrastructure for rice fortification, and to facilitate the sharing of expertise and training with manufacturers of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR), with the ultimate aim of enhancing the overall quality of fortified rice.

About Innovation Hub for Rice Fortification (IHRF)


The Innovation Hub for Rice Fortification (IHRF) is a pioneering consortium of esteemed stakeholders, including FICSI, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, NIFTEM Kundli Haryana, and CFTRI Mysore. We are dedicated to revolutionising the rice fortification ecosystem and strengthening the capabilities of fortified rice kernel (FRK) & fortified rice manufacturers nationwide.

Our core mission is to provide comprehensive training and support, equipping individuals and organisations with state-of-the-art skills essential for excelling in the production of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and fortified rice (FR). With a strong emphasis on knowledge transfer and innovation, IHRF plays a pivotal role in advancing public health and nutrition through fortified rice.

FICSI Rice Fortification Resource Centre (FRFRC)


The FICSI Rice Fortification Resource Centre (FRFRC) is a dedicated initiative under FICSI with a key focus on rice fortification. Its mission is to empower manufacturers of fortified rice kernel (FRK) and fortified rice (FR) by addressing the following challenges comprehensively:

Challenges:

  • Equipment Sourcing and Maintenance
  • Premix Selection & Quality
  • Food Safety & Quality Assurance
  • Training Needs

The FRFRC offers comprehensive capacity-building support, including technical expertise, resource accessibility, and innovative approaches to enhance the skills of FRK and FR manufacturers. Serving as a holistic resource hub, it provides unwavering support to manufacturers, ensuring they have the necessary resources and knowledge to improve the overall quality of FRK and FR.

The centre's ultimate goal is to enable manufacturers to produce high-quality fortified rice products, thereby contributing to the global effort to combat malnutrition and improve community health.

We understand the complex challenges encountered by manufacturers producing Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR), including:


Equipment Sourcing and Maintenance

FRK and FR manufacturers encounter specific challenges when it comes to the sourcing and maintenance of equipment crucial for fortified rice kernel (FRK) and fortified rice (FR) production. At the FICSI Rice Fortification Resource Centre (FRFRC)

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Premix Selection and Quality

Selecting the right premix for fortified rice kernel (FRK) manufacturing is a crucial step in ensuring the highest quality of your final product.

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Lab Testing Access

Lab testing plays a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and safety of fortified rice kernel (FRK) and fortified rice (FR) products. Recognizing the significance of lab testing, the FICSI Rice Fortification Resource Centre (FRFRC)

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Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Ensuring the food safety and quality assurance of fortified rice kernel (FRK) and fortified rice (FR) is of paramount importance. The FICSI Rice Fortification Resource Centre (FRFRC) is committed to helping FRK and FR

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Training Needs

FRK and FR manufacturers often seek hands-on training to enhance their manufacturing processes, optimise machinery, and improve product quality. Recognizing this need, FICSI has taken significant steps to address these challenges by collaborating

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Join Our Forum


We invite you to become a part of our vibrant community dedicated to support FRK & FR manufacturers and improving the quality of fortified rice to combat the persistent problem of anaemia through rice fortification nationwide. Our forum serves as a dynamic platform for sharing knowledge, insights, and innovative ideas in the domain of fortified rice.


Our Experts

Dr HN Mishra

(Emeritus Professor of Food Technology & Director, Agri Business Incubation Foundation, IIT Kharagpu)

Expertise: Machinery & Process Optimization

Dr. Chandrakant Dalbhagat

(Assistant professor, NIT Rourkela)

Expertise: Rice Fortification Machineries & Process Optimization

Dr Madhuresh Dwivedi

(Assistant Professor NIT Rourkela)

Expertise: FRK Training & Process Optimisation

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Dr Muni Poola

(AGM- Food Divison, Vimta Labs)

Expertise: Lab & Testing Expert

Dr Monika Gupta

(Assistant Director-Technical & Quality)

Expertise: Quality Testing of FR, FRK and Premix

Mr Varun Mutalik

(Piramal Pharma Limited)

Expertise: Quality and Premix

Dr Mamatha Mishra

(Founder Director, Greentick Food Tech Pvt Ltd)

Expertise: Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Dr Jatindra K Sahu

(Associate Professor, CRDT, IIT Delhi)

Expertise: Equipment Sourcing and Maintenance

By joining our forum, you'll have the opportunity to:

  • Engage in discussions and ask your queries with experts and industry leaders.
  • Stay updated on the latest developments in rice fortification.
  • Subscription to FICSI monthly Newsletter.
  • Access to the trainings, learning resources and research articles in the field.
  • Share your own experiences and contribute to the global conversation on nutrition.

  • Click here to Join

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