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Role Of Rice In Boosting Nourishment

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A balanced diet is essential for the proper growth of children and thus WHO (World Health Organization) recommends a fuller meal balanced diet for children and women. However, still many people can’t afford to have a full meal diet, and thus to fulfill their nourishment level rice can play an important role. As rice is rich in carbohydrates and fatty acids, fulfilling the energy demand of children and adults.

Rice in Boosting Nourishment

Why is Rice Recommended for Children and Undernourished Women?

A recent study claims that there are 12 varieties of rice available in India rich in some important fatty that can easily fulfill the nutritional demand in undernourished women. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Arachidonic Acid (ARA) are two important fatty acids that are found in breast milk, thus ample amounts of rice in the diet can supplement these fatty acids. 

Rice is one of the highest cultivated crops in India and also it is one of the most cost-effective food people can afford with high nutritional value. Other than the fatty acids rice also contains essential vitamins, starch, minerals, and proteins. Apart from this rice is also a rich source of Phosphorus, magnesium, folic acid, manganese, iron, thiamin, selenium, and niacin. Low in cholesterol and sodium salts, a plate of rice can significantly help in reducing obesity. 

Folk varieties of Rice available in India and Their Nutritional Importance:

There are almost 12 folk varieties of rice available in India and each of them is high in nutrition and essential fatty acids. The folk varieties like Neelam, Athikarya, Sirathi, Dudh-Sar, Kayame, Bhejri, Samba and Maharaji are rich in fatty acids and are useful for milk production in acting women. While on the hand varieties of rice like Bhutmoori, Kelas, and DudheBolta are a food source of iron and play an important role in the treatment of anaemia. 

Introduction of Fortified Rice in the mid-day Meals:

The schools run by the state government of India has a facility for Mid-day meal, which attracts more students to schools and provides them nutritional food for free. The GOI introduced fortified rice in the Mid-day meal on daily basis to help children fight the deficiency of iron and essential minerals causing anaemia and malnutrition. Thus the students get rice daily in their Mid-day meal along with other seasonal vegetables. 

Why is Rice a Staple Food in India?

Rice is one of the most cultivated Kharif crops of India and a majority of rice occupies a majority of cultivated land in India. Rice is mostly grown in the southern and eastern regions of India and has great demand all over the nation. The southern and eastern regions of India mostly rely on rice-based food items and thus it can be said the staple food of India. Also, the finest quality rice is produced in India i.e. the long grain basmati rice mainly grown in Punjab and Haryana. 

Rice and its Impact on the Indian Economy:

Rice production has a great impact on the Indian economy as the total rice production contributes more than 6% to the GDP of India. Also, globally India stands as one of the major exporters of rice with an annual export of more than 10 million metric tonnes. There is always a surplus amount of rice production in India as farmers receive two kinds of subsidies from the government on rice cultivation. The first subsidy is on the purchase of seeds and fertilizer and the second is when the government purchases the rice from the farmers at MSP (Minimum Support Price).


Last Updated : 01 Jun, 2022
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