14-09-2012, 11:11 AM
PDS: Role in Food Fortification
Public Distribution System_Dr. Prakash V.Kotecha.ppt (Size: 1.26 MB / Downloads: 35)
Micronutrient Malnutrition
Minimal loss to GDP due to Micronutrient deficiencies per year: Rs 27,720 crores *
People affected to the highest level are from low socio-economic condition.
They suffer the most but have the least resources and so to reach them a special targeted effort is required
PDS exactly wants to do this: reach to targeted poor people with poor access and that is why PDS has important role in supplying fortified foods.
In National Sample Surveys, the percentage of people claiming to be hungry has fallen steadily from 15% in 1983 to 2% in 2004-5.
The big problem is malnutrition, not hunger. Anemia among pregnant women at 58% and children at 79%, these are not all hungry subjects…
Economists Dreze and Deaton have shown that as incomes rise, poorer Indians opt for superior foods rather than more calories
Public Distribution System
Started in 1960s it was for everyone till 1992 when it was tried for tribal blocks of far and difficult areas to improve the reach and in 1997 it was made targeted to poor people
State Government responsibility to identify poor and ensure that they get the benefit
When started it aimed for 6 crore (60 million) people with 72 lakh tones of grains
Public Distribution System in India
PDS evolved - major instrument of the Government’s economic policy for ensuring availability of foodgrains at affordable prices
It is an important strategy for poverty eradication and is intended to serve as a safety net for the poor nutritionally at risk.
PDS with a network of large number of Fair Price Shops (FPS) is perhaps the largest distribution network of its type in the world.
Role of PDS in Fortification
Common goal to reach poor and hard to reach people at an affordable cost
System in place and we need to piggy back
Supply fortified atta in place of grains is all that we need to do
Wheat fortification most practical fortified with iron, folic acid, vitamin A, (iodine), in that priority.
Rice fortification and sugar fortification are also promising
Challenges of Fortification in PDS
PDS for really poor people?
Fight corruption and ensure that the real targeted population gets it is. Ensure that it is not re-circulated in the open market
Who would bear the cost?
How shall the quality will be maintained?
Technology Transfer to Appropriate authority
Accountability between Civil Supply, Health, Social Welfare, whose jurisdiction?
Should it be mandatory?