The programme to distribute vitamin-fortified rice may be discontinued due to lack of technolocy to increase the grain’s shelf life
The government’s recent decision to suspend the ₹2,700-crore program for fortifying ration shop rice may actually be permanent, as no available technology can extend the grain's shelf life for two to three years.
It has been decided to “temporarily discontinue” the process of rice fortification under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes until a more robust and effective nutrient delivery mechanism is developed and operationalised, the Food Ministry said in a statement on February 27.
The Centre completed the rice fortification target before the March 31, 2024 deadline by covering all the districts of the country.
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