Co-Director of KFI Publishes Study on the Potential of Fortified Rice in Indonesia’s Social Protection System

Prof. Drajat Martianto, Co-Director of the Indonesian Fortification Coalition (KFI), in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), and the National Food Agency, recently published a report titled "Filling Indonesia's Micronutrient Gap: The Potential of Fortified Rice in the Social Protection System."

This publication, co-authored by Prof. Drajat and four other experts—Aang Sutrisna (GAIN Indonesia), Anthony Wenndt (GAIN North America), Hera Nurlita (Kemenkes RI), and Yusra Egayanti (National Food Agency)—aims to evaluate micronutrient intake levels in Indonesia and explore the potential role of fortified rice in meeting nutritional needs.

The study highlights the potential of fortified rice as a critical solution to address micronutrient deficiencies in Indonesia, especially within the framework of social protection programs. Critical aspects discussed in the publication include:

1. The Extent of Micronutrient Gaps in Indonesia.The report outlines the significant micronutrient deficiencies among the Indonesian population, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.
2. Fortification and Social Protection: A Major Opportunity.The study examines the opportunity to integrate fortified rice into social protection programs, such as the Non-Cash Food Assistance Program (BPNT), to help reduce micronutrient deficiencies among beneficiaries.
3. Potential of Fortified Rice.As a staple food in Indonesia, rice fortified with essential micronutrients holds tremendous potential to improve the overall nutritional status of the population.
4. Closing Nutritional Gaps through Rice Fortification and Social Protection.The publication emphasizes the importance of distributing fortified rice through social protection programs as an effective way to reduce malnutrition nationally.

Fortified rice, enriched with essential micronutrients, is viewed as a significant contributor to improving the nutritional quality of the Indonesian population. The authors highlight the need for more vital collaboration between the government, international organizations, and stakeholders to implement fortified rice in social protection programs rapidly. This approach is expected to reduce malnutrition rates in Indonesia significantly.