Definitely a really nifty idea, and a simple way of providing nutrients. I'm a little curious about the processing though - is there any reason why it must be blended onto the rice (thereby needing factories to grind rice, blend the ultra rice component in, reform rice grains, and dry them)?
Since rice needs to be prepared in water and thus absorbs much of the water, perhaps a small packet (like how many food seasonings come in single serve packets) to pour into the pot for each cup of water added would do the trick. This way, families would not need to go out of their way to seek the fortified product.
Out of curiosity, what are the conditions needed to grow this type of rice? Obviously plants need to take their nutrients from somewhere, and if the local rice is insufficient in these nutrients, I have trouble understanding where the nutrients for the fortified rice are coming from.
Ultra Rice is not “rice” that is grown and harvested. It is a rice-shaped kernel made from rice flour that is fortified with a micronutrient premix and manufactured using common pasta-making equipment.
The resulting fortified Ultra Rice “grains” are blended with traditional rice in small quantities, typically at a ratio of 1:200 (in other words, one grain of Ultra Rice for every 199 grains of traditional rice). Only a small amount of the Ultra Rice kernels are needed to fortify large quantities of traditional rice—thus providing key nutrients that local diets may lack. About 2.5 billion people eat rice every day in the developing world, making the staple food a promising vehicle for micronutrient fortification.
The approach described in the abovementioned query – adding a sachet of micronutrients to food – is viable in some circumstances. However, because behavior change can be a long and often challenging process, many fortification programs have favored approaches that do not require families to modify their food preparation and cooking habits. We believe that Ultra Rice adds the most value when its incorporated after the milling process, so that fortified rice is sent through the miller’s typical distribution channels and consumers prepare and cook the rice as they would customarily.
“Thank you for your entry! This is a really interesting initiative and we would really like to hear more about how you’re transferring technology to local producers. How are you making it easier for local producers? Do producers buy the seeds? Would you mind providing more information on your license agreements as well – what it entails and what the terms are? We look forward to your responses!”
PATH grants our manufacturing partners a worldwide non-exclusive license to the Ultra Rice technology—allowing them to manufacture, distribute, and sell fortified rice grains made with the Ultra Rice technology. They can then sell the fortified grains directly to rice millers or other buyers, or distribute it blended with traditional rice if they are in the rice milling/distribution business. PATH also contributes technical assistance required to transfer the Ultra Rice technology. In exchange, our license agreements contain pricing and supply obligations to ensure the product is both affordable and accessible for public sector programs that serve resource-poor populations. It’s important to note that the fortified grains can be made on locally available pasta making equipment, thereby lowering the capital investment costs—an important driver in making Ultra Rice affordable.
From the start, PATH works with companies to 1) assess their suitability as a production partner, including their existing equipment and operations; 2) assist in transferring the technology and developing standard operating procedures; and 3) support production until the product meets specifications established by PATH and verified by an accredited laboratory.
On January 18, 2010 the judges reviewed the entries for the Changemakers Improved Nutrition: Solutions through Innovation competition and would like to pass on the following feedback (listed below) for your entry. Thank you for applying and for your hard work in the field. We are excited to archive your entry to serve as a leading solution for the worldwide community of innovators. We wish you continued luck with your innovative, sustainable, and socially impactful initiatives.
All the best, The Changemakers Team
“This is a very interesting technological innovation as well as an extremely compelling one! The only question I would ask of this entrant is if the cost of Ultra Rice is prohibitive for the poor?”
“While the product itself may not be new, I really like that it has gone through several iterations and is an improved version. Would the entrant mind providing some more information on their plans for financial sustainability? I’m interested in getting a better sense of their business model.”
- Changemakers Improved Nutrition: Solutions through Innovation Judges
Comentarios
Definitely a really nifty idea, and a simple way of providing nutrients. I'm a little curious about the processing though - is there any reason why it must be blended onto the rice (thereby needing factories to grind rice, blend the ultra rice component in, reform rice grains, and dry them)?
Since rice needs to be prepared in water and thus absorbs much of the water, perhaps a small packet (like how many food seasonings come in single serve packets) to pour into the pot for each cup of water added would do the trick. This way, families would not need to go out of their way to seek the fortified product.
Out of curiosity, what are the conditions needed to grow this type of rice? Obviously plants need to take their nutrients from somewhere, and if the local rice is insufficient in these nutrients, I have trouble understanding where the nutrients for the fortified rice are coming from.
Ultra Rice is not “rice” that is grown and harvested. It is a rice-shaped kernel made from rice flour that is fortified with a micronutrient premix and manufactured using common pasta-making equipment.
The resulting fortified Ultra Rice “grains” are blended with traditional rice in small quantities, typically at a ratio of 1:200 (in other words, one grain of Ultra Rice for every 199 grains of traditional rice). Only a small amount of the Ultra Rice kernels are needed to fortify large quantities of traditional rice—thus providing key nutrients that local diets may lack. About 2.5 billion people eat rice every day in the developing world, making the staple food a promising vehicle for micronutrient fortification.
The approach described in the abovementioned query – adding a sachet of micronutrients to food – is viable in some circumstances. However, because behavior change can be a long and often challenging process, many fortification programs have favored approaches that do not require families to modify their food preparation and cooking habits. We believe that Ultra Rice adds the most value when its incorporated after the milling process, so that fortified rice is sent through the miller’s typical distribution channels and consumers prepare and cook the rice as they would customarily.
“Thank you for your entry! This is a really interesting initiative and we would really like to hear more about how you’re transferring technology to local producers. How are you making it easier for local producers? Do producers buy the seeds? Would you mind providing more information on your license agreements as well – what it entails and what the terms are? We look forward to your responses!”
- Naveen Shakir, Ashoka’s Changemakers
PATH grants our manufacturing partners a worldwide non-exclusive license to the Ultra Rice technology—allowing them to manufacture, distribute, and sell fortified rice grains made with the Ultra Rice technology. They can then sell the fortified grains directly to rice millers or other buyers, or distribute it blended with traditional rice if they are in the rice milling/distribution business. PATH also contributes technical assistance required to transfer the Ultra Rice technology. In exchange, our license agreements contain pricing and supply obligations to ensure the product is both affordable and accessible for public sector programs that serve resource-poor populations. It’s important to note that the fortified grains can be made on locally available pasta making equipment, thereby lowering the capital investment costs—an important driver in making Ultra Rice affordable.
From the start, PATH works with companies to 1) assess their suitability as a production partner, including their existing equipment and operations; 2) assist in transferring the technology and developing standard operating procedures; and 3) support production until the product meets specifications established by PATH and verified by an accredited laboratory.
On January 18, 2010 the judges reviewed the entries for the Changemakers Improved Nutrition: Solutions through Innovation competition and would like to pass on the following feedback (listed below) for your entry. Thank you for applying and for your hard work in the field. We are excited to archive your entry to serve as a leading solution for the worldwide community of innovators. We wish you continued luck with your innovative, sustainable, and socially impactful initiatives.
All the best, The Changemakers Team
“This is a very interesting technological innovation as well as an extremely compelling one! The only question I would ask of this entrant is if the cost of Ultra Rice is prohibitive for the poor?”
“While the product itself may not be new, I really like that it has gone through several iterations and is an improved version. Would the entrant mind providing some more information on their plans for financial sustainability? I’m interested in getting a better sense of their business model.”
- Changemakers Improved Nutrition: Solutions through Innovation Judges
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