Vizianagaram: The Andhra Pradesh government is supplying fortified rice under the public distribution system in the district to improve public health.
The scheme, which was hitherto available only in two Assembly constituencies on an experimental basis, is now extended to the entire district.
Vizianagaram district was selected for the pilot project of fortified rice distribution on ration cards after the national family health survey found that 78.7 per cent of the children and 75.5 percent of women were anaemic. Fortified rice is now supplied to prevent anemia.
So far, the paddy from farmers was polished in mills and the rice distributed through ration depots. Now, the rice is fortified by adding the necessary vitamins and minerals. Iron, folic acid, vitamin B 12 and other key nutrients are added to overcome malnutrition among women and children.
At present, fortified rice is taken up through 21 rice mills in the district and a target to produce 1.1 lakh tons is set for the year.
According to the Joint Collector G.C. Kishore Kumar, the rice is very tasty and can be cooked in the normal way.
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