New Delhi: Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), chaired a crucial meeting of the Country Programme Advisory Committee (CPAC) to review the implementation of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. The meeting, held with representatives from the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP) and various government ministries and departments, focused on advancing national priorities in food security and nutrition.
In a significant step towards addressing food security challenges, the DA&FW signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UN WFP. The MoU outlines key strategic outcomes for the CSP 2023-27, which include:
- Enhancing the efficiency of national food-based social protection systems.
- Promoting the consumption of diverse and fortified foods.
- Empowering women through social and financial mobility.
- Building climate-resilient livelihoods and food systems.
The Country Programme Advisory Committee, led by Dr. Chaturvedi, was established to monitor and coordinate the progress of initiatives under the CSP. The committee includes Joint Secretaries from relevant ministries and representatives from NITI Aayog. This was the first meeting under the CSP 2023-27, where members discussed ongoing projects and their achievements.
Elizabeth Faure, Country Director of the WFP, briefed the committee on various initiatives targeting the CSP’s strategic outcomes. These initiatives include enhancing food security for smallholder farmers in states like Assam, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, promoting millets, and building resilience in fishing communities through the ‘Secure Fishing’ app. Other significant projects highlighted were the optimization of the Public Distribution System (PDS), the Annapurti grain ATMs, school nutri-gardens, and rice fortification programs.
During the meeting, Dr. Chaturvedi emphasized the long-standing partnership between DA&FW and the WFP, driven by the shared goal of achieving food and nutrition security in India. He urged officials to identify scalable initiatives that could be integrated into existing government programs. Dr. Chaturvedi also suggested that WFP organize a one-day workshop focused on important agricultural initiatives and pilots to enhance collaboration.
Additionally, Dr. Chaturvedi emphasized the need to assess the nutritional standards applicable to the Indian population, advocating for the promotion of local, nutritious varieties such as red and black rice and millets, alongside ongoing efforts in rice fortification. He also encouraged exploring ways to integrate Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) into various initiatives for broader participation.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministries of Food and Public Distribution, Women and Child Development, Rural Development, Environment, Forestry and Climate Change, School Education and Literacy, External Affairs, the National Disaster Management Authority, the India Meteorological Department, and the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The collaboration highlighted during the review points to a promising roadmap for improved food security and nutrition in India, aligned with the CSP’s goals.