Rice Fortification Resource Center

About Rice Fortification

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.

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.