Food department launches statewide rice fortification awareness drive

The Directorate of Food and Civil Supplies has appealed to all concerned FPS, VC, ward chairmen, GBs, CSOs, and others to actively participate in the awareness programmes in their respective districts and educate on the benefits of consuming fortified rice

Dimapur— In an effort to dispel the misinformation about plastic rice circulating on social media, the Directorate of Food and Civil Supplies is collaborating with PATH, its technical partner, to conduct a series of awareness-raising programmes across the state.

The department has therefore appealed to all concerned FPS, VC, ward chairmen, GBs, CSOs, and others to actively participate in the awareness programmes in their respective districts, spread the message, and educate on the benefits of consuming fortified rice, which is enriched with iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12.

In a press release, the department clarified that fortified rice is a 1:100 mixture of fortified rice kernel (FRK) and regular rice, and mentioned that, as per the policy of the government of India, to achieve uniform nutritional impact of fortified rice amongst the targeted population, fortified rice is being provided through various schemes like ICDS, PM POSHAN, and PDS under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) in a phased manner throughout the country.

While phase I covered ICDS and PM POSHAN during 2021-22, phase II covered all the aspirational districts and high-burden districts in the country under PDS during 2022-23. In phase III, all the remaining districts in the state are to be covered with fortified rice under PDS during 2023-24.

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In accordance with the directive of the centre, Nagaland initiated phase III of the fortification programme with the slogan ‘bhal khalua, desh mazboot korene’ (good nutrition for a healthy nation), covering the remaining districts in a phased manner from the month of June 2023, and envisages achieving the target of 100% coverage within the stipulated period.

On August 3, the series of awareness programs will commence in Kohima (including Tseminyu), followed by Mokokchung's program on August 5. Subsequently, the initiative will proceed to Mon on August 8 and conclude in Longleng on August 10.

The awareness programme in Tuensang (including Shamator) is scheduled for August 17, followed by Noklak on August 18. Zunheboto's programme will be held on August 21 and Phek's on August 23.