New Project Analyzes Supply Chain in Two Indian States and Builds the Foundation for a Fortification Program

Photo: Women harvest wheat (Scott Wallace/World Bank)

Building a healthier future through fortification in India

In April 2023, FFI started a new project with the Rockefeller Foundation to enable the scale-up of the fortification of whole wheat flour, also known as atta, with folic acid, iron, vitamin B12, and other micronutrients to prevent micronutrient deficiencies and help build a healthier future for the Indian states of Haryana, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

Wheat flour is a widely consumed staple food in these states. The project aims to deliver fortified flour to those who need it most—low-income women and children who often do not have access to a diverse diet—via state-led social protection programs: the Public Distribution System (PDS) via the Food and Civil Supplies Department (F&CS), the mid-day meal program known as PM POSHAN, and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

The primary activities undertaken in the grant are centered around (1) providing technical assistance on implementing wheat flour fortification to the government agencies, millers, and fair price shops involved in the last-mile delivery of food for the PDS and (2) demonstrating the benefits of fortified wheat flour to government agencies for its inclusion into PDS, PM POSHAN, and ICDS, and securing buy-in from government stakeholders for its inclusion in PDS, PM POSHAN, and ICDS programs.

To begin planning for the fortification programs, FFI completed wheat flour supply chain analyses for Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The supply chain analyses describe feasible channels for atta fortification, best practices for ensuring the program’s sustainability, and the estimated cost of fortification for beneficiaries. FFI presented the analyses to key state social protection program officials in a series of meetings and at a workshop in Rajasthan in December 2023.

At the workshop, FFI also oriented Rajasthan state officials on key wheat fortification information, including the burden of micronutrient deficiencies in the state, their impact on health for vulnerable groups, and the role of fortification in helping the state reach economic and welfare goals. The presentation also included current scientific literature on fortification as a strategy to eliminate micronutrient deficiencies, which is particularly relevant to India and the specific state. The December workshop provided the latest updates in the state’s work to start wheat flour fortification and complemented two previous workshops that FFI hosted in Jaipur in early 2023.

Photo: FFI workshop in Rajasthan in December 2023. (FFI)

One attendee, Ashish Vyas, deputy commissioner of Rajasthan PM POSHAN, said, "I have seen changes occurring in cereals and maintaining the micronutrient [content] is quite challenging. Fortification can help in many ways.” He commented that he saw fortification as an effective strategy to ensure beneficiaries receive the essential nutrients they need.

Thirty-six participants attended, including representatives of four key state departments (ICDS, PM POSHAN, Confed, and the Food Safety and Drug Control Commissionerate) as well as partners from Fortify Health and World Food Programme India Office, which is supporting the provision of fortified atta through the state PM POSHAN scheme.  

In closing remarks at the workshop, Manju Yadav, a deputy director for Rajasthan ICDS, said, "Fortification is not new for us. We are aware of every aspect and benefit of fortifying cereals, and we've been in regular connection with the FFI team. Hopefully, we can come together to ensure the maximum benefits to the beneficiaries through food fortification.”

FFI and the Rockefeller Foundation’s support to better understand the wheat flour supply chain and fortification opportunities in Rajasthan and Maharashtra lays the groundwork for private, public, and civic partners to work together and build fortification programs that transform lives.