The embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh has contributed $800,000 to the World Food Programme (WFP) to scale up an initiative on rice fortification in Bangladesh.

Rice fortification aims to reduce micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable groups in Bangladesh through access to nutrient-dense, fortified rice. 

The initiative is being implemented by WFP in collaboration with Ministry of Food and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, and other partners, said a press release.

In 2017, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs distributed fortified rice in 35 sub-districts covered under the Vulnerable Group Development programme, Bangladesh's largest social safety net targeting ultra-poor women. In 2018, distribution of fortified rice is planned in 66 sub-districts.

This year, the food ministry has agreed to integrate the distribution of fortified rice in two sub-districts under the government's new social safety net, known as the Food Friendly Programme. More than 350,000 people across 107 sub-districts will benefit from the distribution of fortified rice.

“Through a rice fortification effectiveness study, we found that the consumption of fortified rice reduced anaemia by 4.8 percent and zinc deficiency by 6 percent among ultra-poor women,” said Christa Räder, WFP country director in Bangladesh. “We want to make fortified rice available in the market so that the entire population of Bangladesh can benefit from it,” she added.