Objectives
To improve nutrition security through staple food fortification
Methods
Rajasthan, an Indian State, has a very low consumption of fruits, green vegetables, egg, fish and meat, resulting in high levels of micronutrient malnutrition. State Government of Rajasthan; under the National Food Security Act; is committed to providing food and nutritional security to all.Under its ‘Targeted Public Distribution System’ (TPDS), various State Governments provide subsidized staples to about two-thirds of the State’s population, through the government-supported “Fair Price Shops”.In order to ensure an easy access to quality assured staple foods at affordable prices; Government of Rajasthan has partnered with a private enterprise; to upgrade its “Fair Price Shops” to “Annapurna Bhandars” across Rajasthan. This partnership would provide multi-brand consumer goods at competitive prices to the general public, in addition to their entitlements under the TPDS. It has also set-up a strong “Grievance Redressal” system to improve consumers’ interface.Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition; through its engagement with Institute of Health Management Research; has focused on transferring the technology for upgrading the infrastructure; building the capacity of the food industry to produce appropriately fortified staple foods and inventory management. This has helped to ensure the production of quality assured and appropriately fortified staples such as wheatflour, fortified with iron, folic acid and vitamin B12; salt, double fortified with iron and iodine; and edible oils fortified with vitamin A and D.
Results
This helped to ensure the production of quality assured and appropriately fortified staples such as wheat flour, fortified with iron, folic acid and vitamin B12; salt, double fortified with iron and iodine; and edible oils fortified with vitamin A and D
Conclusions
The project has strengthened the efforts of the State Government in bringing about a positive change and improvement in the lives of the people of Rajasthan.
