Daijiworld Media Network – Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 25: In a significant step towards fighting hidden hunger and ensuring better nutrition for vulnerable populations, the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) on Friday inaugurated a pilot plant for the production of fortified rice kernels (FRK) at its campus.
The facility, designed using in-house technology developed by CSIR-NIIST, was formally inaugurated by Dr Krishna M Ella, chairperson of Bharat Biotech International. Aimed at addressing malnutrition among children, pregnant women, and other at-risk groups, the plant will produce rice kernels enriched with vital vitamins and minerals.
"This pilot plant is an important innovation that merges science with social responsibility. It holds promise for improving public health outcomes across the country, particularly in underserved regions," said Dr Ella, lauding the institute’s efforts in blending technology with real-world impact.
The FRK technology involves blending rice flour with essential micronutrients and extruding it into rice-shaped kernels that closely resemble natural rice. These fortified kernels can be seamlessly mixed with regular rice in public distribution systems to improve the nutritional value of meals consumed by millions.
Equipped with advanced drying and cooling conveyors for efficient moisture removal, the pilot facility has the capacity to produce 30 to 50 kg of fortified kernels per hour.
Dr C Anandharamakrishnan, director of CSIR-NIIST, noted that the plant will also serve as a research and innovation hub. “This unit is not just for production it will also support training, product development, and innovation for start-ups, food safety professionals, and students,” he said.
He emphasized that the project aligns with CSIR-NIIST’s commitment to creating socially impactful technologies and fostering entrepreneurial ventures in food and health sciences.
The fortified rice plant is expected to play a key role in India’s ongoing efforts to eradicate malnutrition and enhance food-based nutrition strategies at the grassroots level.