The department of Food & Civil Supplies, Nagaland in collaboration with Centre for Health Research Innovation (CHRI) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) foundation as part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' by government of India, organised an awareness campaign on fortified rice on 20th November 2021. 

Advisor, Food and Civil Supplies, Pukhayi Sumi, gracing the programme as special guest said the programme is being conducted to promote rice fortification to address the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the state. He also said that fortified rice has been identified as one of the key intervention by the Government of India which has now become part of National Flagship Programme like POSHAN Abhiyaan and Anaemia Mukht Bharat as a preventive strategy to tackle anemia which is a cost-effective, culturally appropriate strategy to address micro nutrient deficiency.

Satakshie Sharma, CHRI, speaking on the importance of Rice Fortification in diet and overall health said that rice fortification refers is a process of adding nutrients such as  iron, folic acid etc. to regular rice keeping in mind the dietary requirements to improve the nutritional quality of food and to provide public health benefit. She said that rice being India's staple foods fortifying rice with micro nutrients became an option to supplement the diet of the people. Highlighting the benefits of fortified rice to the gathering, she encouraged the gathering to consume the rice which would be available for all beneficiaries through public distribution system without any hesitation.

The programme was chaired by Director, Food and Civil supplies. As part of the demonstration of fortified rice, fortified rice packets and food packets were also distributed to the beneficiaries.

(Watimenla IA Dimapur)