Sri Lanka launches locally-produced fortified rice
View(s):The Government of Sri Lanka recently announced that Sri Lanka has now gained the capacity to produce fortified rice kernels. The kernels are enriched with Folic Acid and Iron through an extrusion
process creating nutrient rich grains that will be blended with regular rice to produce fortified rice, according to an official media statement.
This initiative was highlighted as an urgent priority of the government following the economic crisis, which severely increased food insecurity and malnutrition, and the Presidential Secretariat’s commitment to the cause was highlighted by Sagala Ratnayaka, Chief of Staff to the President.
This fortified rice will be used to combat micronutrient malnutrition with kernels being distributed via the government’s National Free School Meal Programme.
The transfer of extrusion technology was prioritised by the Presidential Secretariat, and enabled by the World Food Programme (WFP), The Programme for Appropriate Technology and Health (PATH), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Akshata, and Connect To Care.
To mark the introduction of this capability, the Presidential Secretariat Support Unit supported by Connect To Care and PATH recently organised a workshop at the Galle Face Hotel.
The workshop, which brought together key stakeholders from the government, international organisations, private sector, and civil society, explained the benefits of staple food fortification and made clear the potential for tech transfer with the collaboration of the government, private sector and international partners. The event featured a keynote speech by Mr. Ratnayaka who emphasised the government’s vision and support for food fortification initiatives.
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