IPB University-France Collaboration Presents FortRiz, Fortified Rice Innovation for Indonesian Children’s Nutrition
IPB University and its Indonesian-French partners launched FortRiz as a strategic step to support the improvement of national nutrition quality through the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.
This initiative involves the International Research Institute for Food, Nutrition, Health, and Halal (LRI-PGKH); the Southeast Asian Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (SEAFAST) Center at IPB University; the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), Savica, and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The FortRiz program is a tangible manifestation of bilateral collaboration in strengthening Indonesia’s human resources.
IPB University Vice Rector for Global Connectivity, Cooperation, and Alumni, Prof Iskandar Z Siregar, emphasized that this collaboration is an important breakthrough in bridging science and public policy.
“The cooperation between the French and Indonesian governments through IPB University, particularly under LRI-PGKH, is an excellent initiative. This program can fill various gaps in nutritional knowledge related to the MBG program,” he said at the FortRiz Launch Event and Kick-Off Meeting at the International Convention Center (IICC), Bogor, 2/12.
He added that the success of MBG requires cross-country and cross-sector support. “The MBG program needs both internal and external support to be successful. This is part of a joint contribution to realizing the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045,” he said.
FortRiz focuses on developing fortified rice enriched with vitamins and minerals to improve the nutritional intake of school children. More than 20 percent of Indonesian children are deficient in micronutrients. The initial phase includes implementation trials in four regions with around 2.400 students as direct beneficiaries.
With fortified rice kernel (FRK) technology, nutrients are added without changing consumption patterns and at minimal cost. FortRiz also conducts quality tests, taste tests, and acceptance studies to ensure that the product is effective, safe, and culturally acceptable.
Chair of LRI-PGKH IPB University, Prof Erika B Laconi, considers this program strategic for strengthening food and health research.
“Innovation is not only for mothers and babies, but also for adolescents as future parents. Nutritional improvement must start early and is important from a gender equality perspective,” she said.
French Embassy Cooperation Counselor in Indonesia, Mr Jules Irman, emphasized the role of the National Nutrition Agency in ensuring the nutritional needs of vulnerable groups.
“Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five are vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies. Rice fortification is an important step, and MBG can be a strategic platform for its integration,” he explained.
In addition to its impact on nutrition, FortRiz strengthens socio-economic empowerment through training for school kitchen staff, who are mostly women, in food safety and fortification practices. On a national scale, this program has the potential to support tens of thousands of kitchen workers and benefit millions of families.
As part of the Indonesia-France Innovation Year 2026 and 50 years of IRD’s presence in Indonesia, FortRiz is a tangible symbol of research partnerships that directly impact public policy. The program is supported by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the French Embassy in Jakarta, affirming a shared commitment to a better nutritional future for Indonesia. (AS) (IAAS/SSR)
