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The number of large-scale wheat- or maize-flour mills in the country
This indicator provides information on the number of mills with the capacity to process at least 20 metric tons of wheat or maize per day.
Industrial fortification usually takes place in large mills. One commonly used definition of large mills includes those with the capacity to mill at least 20 metric tons of wheat or maize per day (1). Fortification is more feasible and practical to implement and monitor in larger mills rather than smaller mills. The larger mills are usually the focus of fortification efforts in a country; it is important to monitor the number of large mills in a country, to ensure sufficient regulatory monitoring staff and other resources are available. The industrial capacity of mills can change with changes in dietary habits, agricultural practices, economic factors and the population.
The number of mills that have the capacity to process at least 20 metric tons of wheat or maize per day.
Considerations for the calculations:
• Some mills may have intermittent, seasonal and non-year-round production.
• Mills that have the capacity to process at least 20 metric tons of wheat or maize per day are considered large industrial mills. Industrial milling capacity refers to the maximum level of production that an establishment can reasonably expect to attain under normal and realistic operating conditions, fully utilizing the machinery and equipment in place.
industrial milling, milling capacity
Food fortification
Input
Inputs
48-59 months, School age children, 12-23 months, 24-35 months, 36-47 months
None,
Copper, Folate, Iron, Niacin, Selenium, Vitamin A, Thiamine (vitamin B1), Vitamin B12, Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Zinc
Market-based
There are several potential sources of this information, including a national association of flour millers, or governmental agencies, such as the Ministry of Trade or the Ministry of Agriculture.
This indicator is relatively easy to collect.
The total number of mills does not describe the mills’ preparedness for fortification. It may overestimate the potential outputs, as the number of mills may not be fully operative on a daily basis, for different reasons.
In a country, seven mills have the capacity to produce 20 or more metric tons per day (each) of wheat flour.
1. Industry. Atlanta: Food Fortification Initiative; 2014 (http://www.ffinetwork.org/plan/industry.html, accessed 6 October 2015).