Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission (Kudumbashree

5

KERALA

Amrutham Nutri-mix: Nutritional supplement for children

Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission (Kudumbashree)

Background

Kudumbashree has 241 nutrimix units, engaged in the production of nutritional supplement for the children in the age group of 6 months to 3 years. The product is supplied to all anganwadis as ‘Take Home Ration’.

About

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) provides supplementary nutrition for children in the age group of six months to three years in the form of Take-HomeRation (THR). Since 2006, the Social Welfare Department, Kerala, has adopted the decentralized model of production and distribution of THR or ‘Amrutham Nutrimix’ in collaboration with Kudumbashree. .

The Amrutham Nutrimix supplement is provided to all Anganwadis of Kerala under the THRS scheme. The product is available in 500gm packets. Nutrimix can be used without any age limit. It can be consumed either directly or mixed with milk or water. The production units get paid by the ICDS supervisor through Panchayath. Nutrimix’s popularity has increased over the years for the standardised quality and the unit’s capability to meet the demand with adequate supply under all circumstances.

The main constituents are:

Ingredient

Wheat

Soya Chunks

Bengal Gram

Groundnut Sugar

100 gms of Amrutham Nutrimix

45 gm 10 gm 15 gm 10 gm 20 gm

This product is ‘fortified’, meaning the content of essential micronutrients, ie, vitamins and minerals is enhanced so as to improve the nutritional quality of the food and provide a public health benefit with minimal risk to health. As part of food-based approach, food fortification with micro nutrients is a cost-effective intervention for reducing micronutrient malnutrition where existing food supplies and limited access fail to provide adequate dietary nutrition.

In the fortified Amrutham Nutrimix 11 types of micro nutrients are added which include Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Vitamin A, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Folic acid and Vitamin B12 in a proportion of 650gm premix per 100kg of Nutrimix.

Some of the key stakeholders for project development, planning and implementation are Department of Women and Child Development, Kerala, Kudumbashree Mission, World Food Programme (WFP), Central Food and Research Development. Nutrimix production is currently outsourced to Kudumbashree units under the Dept of Local Self Government. Department of Women and Child Development has given Rs.1.39 crores for the implementation of Nutrimix Fortification.

Kudumbashree nutrimix units have been provided mechanized units and a standard recipe and preparation instructions.. The fortification process will be integrated into these existing production units, therefore the Kudumbashree platform will be leveraged for fortification and activities inherent therein. Also, Kudumbashree provides technology-fund assistance for procuring 100kg blender in every units. Kudumbashree district mission officials also monitored the functioning of nutrimix units through their visits.

Meanwhile, the WFP will assist the Government of Kerala to provide fortified foods to young children through ICDS throughout the state. WFP assistance will evolve over the period of association from a more direct involved role to the role of a technical partner. WFP has also given fund assistance to conduct the pilot study at Wayanad.

Kudumbashree approached CFRD, Konni for ensuring the quality of fortified Amrutham supplied through anganwadis. A sample of fortified nutrimix is sent to CFRD, Konni by Kudumbashree Nutrimix units for conducting lab test. The cost of lab test per sample is Rs.2000+ 18% GST. Vit A, Iron, and other microbial parameters arechecked.

Kudumbashree Mission also provides capacity building and support services to initiate and nurture the Amrutham Nutrimix enterprises. Some of these initiatives are below:

1. Training & Capacity Building

z General orientation and entrepreneurship development training to the entrepreneurs.

z Skill training in nutrimix production in collaboration with Central Plantation

Crop Research Institute, Kasargode.

z Performance improvement training on a periodic basis on issues such as business management, accounting, production protocol, product diversification etc.

2. Monitoring and Support Mechanisms

z District-level monitoring committees under the leadership of Social Justice

Department for supervision of functioning

z Supervision by Kudumbashree Community Development Society (CDS) at the

LSG level

z Liaison with Social Welfare Department at the state level and ICDS Project functionaries at district and sub-district levels

z Providing multiple financial assistance like crisis-management fund, technology fund, technology upgradation fund etc.

z Support of Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Consultants (MEC) for streamlining business operations.

z Support of Kudumbashree Accounts and Audit Services (KAASS) for regular audit of the enterprises.

3. Networking

z Three-tier system, unit-level representatives/ district/ state-level consortiums governed by elected members in association with Kudumbashree Mission facilitate smooth functioning in each layer.

PRODUCTION Pre-production

z District level procurement of wheat through FCI

z Subsidised Wheat supplied by Government of India,

“Wheat-based Nutrition Programme”.

z Consortium facilitating bulk procurement of other raw materials

Production

z Each unit set up own storage, processing and packaging facility

z Production has been going according to the SOP

Post Production

z Distributing Amrutham to Anganwadis

z Payments given by panchayat through ICDS supervisor

Quality Control

n Unit follows the government-approved SOP to ensure quality.

n Kudumbashree District Mission & Amrutham District Consortium conduct firstlevel periodic checks on raw materials and production facilities.

n Joint Inspections, as surprise visits are conducted by an approved committee consisting of Programme officer and Kudumbashree District Mission Team.

n Food and Safety officials conduct regular visits in the units and assist them for improvement.

n District-wise Food and Safety Trainings are periodically given to all unit members.

n Sample test from each batch is tested at the government analytical laboratory by concerned ICDS supervisors.

Unique Features

Nutrimix grading: This is a process to evaluate the functioning of the unit and its progress. It is conducted jointly by Kudumbashree Mission, Women and Child Department and Food Safety Department. The officials from these departments visit the units and grade it with the help of nutrimix rating scale, also assessing the nutrimix unit and its facilities, on cleanliness, machinery, electrification, proper records, functional excellence and team spirit.

The units which get more than 80% marks secure ‘A’ grade, those which get marks between 60% and 80% secure ‘B’ grade, and those below 60% marks are given ‘C’ Grade. Only units that secure ‘A’ and ‘B’ grade can manufacture and distribute Amrutham Nutrimix. Units that get ‘C’ grades will stop receiving subsidized wheat. The units which secure B and C grade are given a time period to upgrade their units to A grade .

Impact of the Project

The project is started in the year 2006 and it is still ongoing. Through this project, Kudumbashree can provide a sustainable livelihood to 1569 women entrepreneurs. The annual turnover of the nutrimix units is Rs. 130 crores. More than 5.5 lakh children are the direct beneficiaries of the project.

Way Forward

n Upgrade all units to ‘A’ grade

n ISO certification to Nutrimix units