The state-owned Food Management and Trading Company Limited (FMTC) has expanded the production of vitamin-enriched fortified rice at its Janakpurdham Regional Office. Initially set up in April 2024 with support from the World Food Programme (WFP), the fortification plant in Janakpur blends nutrient-dense flour with locally sourced rice to enhance its nutritional profile. This initiative is part of an effort to address malnutrition, particularly in underserved areas such as Karnali Province.
According to Ganga Prasad Sah, head of FMTC’s Janakpurdham office, the organization now produces and distributes fortified rice designed to improve health outcomes in communities affected by malnutrition. The Janakpur facility’s fortification process adds vital nutrients to the rice, which undergoes rigorous quality checks before being distributed. Additionally, similar facilities have been established at FMTC locations in Surkhet and Kathmandu, with fortified rice also available at subsidized prices across the country.
FMTC’s efforts to supply fortified rice align with broader goals of enhancing public health and achieving sustainable development targets. Sah explained that the plant mixes fortified flour—sourced from WFP-partnered suppliers in India—with 100 kg bags of rice to create nutritionally enriched rice for the Nepali market. This initiative mirrors India’s approach, where fortified rice is now mandatory in government food programs.
In tandem with this fortification project, FMTC is selling discounted varieties of popular rice, such as Aruwa Sona Mansuli and Basmati, priced at Rs. 65 per kg to support affordability. Each customer can purchase up to 50 kg at subsidized rates, with a regional quota of 200 quintals allocated for discounted sales. (With inputs from RSS)
