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The agreement aims to provide capacity building and technical support, with a focus on four key strategic outcomes outlined in the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027
In a step towards strengthening food security and nutrition in India, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) and the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement aims to provide capacity building and technical support, with a focus on four key strategic outcomes outlined in the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. These include:
1. Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of national food-based social protection systems.
2. Promoting the consumption of diverse, nutritious, and fortified foods.
3. Enhancing the social and financial mobility of women.
4. Strengthening the adaptive capacity to build climate-resilient livelihoods and food systems.
Dr Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of DA&FW, chaired the first meeting of the Country Programme Advisory Committee (CPAC) to review the implementation of the CSP 2023-2027. The meeting was attended by representatives from the UN WFP and officials from relevant ministries and departments.
The CPAC, which includes joint secretaries from various ministries and NITI Aayog, was established to oversee and review the progress of initiatives under the CSP. The committee will meet annually, with this session marking the first under the 2023-2027 plan.
During the meeting, WFP Country Director Elizabeth Faure updated the committee on the progress of several key initiatives under the CSP. These include efforts to improve food security for smallholder farmers in states such as Assam, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, promoting millet consumption nationwide, and building resilience in fishing communities through the ‘Secure Fishing’ app. Other initiatives highlighted include optimising the Public Distribution System (PDS), the Annapurti grain ATM project, school nutrition gardens, and rice fortification efforts.