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In accordance with KFI's future development roadmap to become an increasingly independent organization and continue to expand its network of international partnerships, KFI recently signed an MoU with TechnoServe, a non-profit development agency that works with the private sector to help overcome poverty, through the development of competitive agriculture, business, and industry in developing countries. The MOU was signed on September 24, 2024.
Three areas of activities will be cooperated in order to strengthen the implementation of Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF), namely: (1) Advocacy to policy makers at national and sub-national levels in the areas of planning, evaluation, and control of mandatory food fortification programs; (2) Provision of technical support to enhance the capacity of industry, government officials, academics, and relevant organizations to sustainably meet standards for fortified foods, to address hidden hunger and poverty through improved health status and productivity; and (3) Review, study, synthesis, and dissemination of knowledge and information on good practices to improve the effectiveness of the Large Scale Food Fortification Program.
Opportunity for a specific collaborative activity was discussed, that is to assist the government in setting up a rice fortification program. One of the main problems in rice fortification is the high cost which reaches around 7.5% - 12% of the rice price (Rice Fortification for the Poor project, ADB & Bappenas, 2019), while the ideal cost is 1%-5%. For this reason, KFI and TechnoServe (through the Millers for Nutrition program) will explore the possibility of reducing the volume of fortificant rice kernel (FRK) added to rice, from 1% to 0.5% with the same level of vitamins and minerals (the concentration is increased to about twice). This could reduce the price of fortified rice by 20-30%.
Is this approach feasible and what factors need to be considered? For this, intensive discussions will be held with stakeholders including food technology experts, rice millers, and the fortificant industry. Furthermore, it is important to conduct trials to obtain important data and information regarding the results of using the modified fortificant formula on the appearance, organoleptic, homogeneity, consumer acceptance and cost efficiency. The results of the analysis and trials will be used as references in policy formulation.
-Hanifah Hana Pertiwi-
