India is looking to integrate scalable food security interventions into existing government programmes, while promoting local crop varieties, a senior official said Thursday.
Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi outlined these priorities during a review of the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) country strategic plan (CSP) for India, spanning 2023-2027.
Chaturvedi, who chaired the first meeting of the Country Programme Advisory Committee (CPAC) under the new CSP, urged officers to "identify scalable interventions and initiatives" and develop mechanisms to incorporate them into ongoing government programmes, according to an official statement.
The secretary called for a dedicated workshop to discuss agriculture sector initiatives in greater detail, emphasising the need for a targeted approach.
Chaturvedi also highlighted the importance of promoting nutritious local varieties of rice and millets, along with fortified cereals, signalling a shift towards indigenous crop cultivation.
Additionally, he suggested exploring ways to involve Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in various initiatives.
"We should also examine nutrition standards applicable to the Indian population when assessing the nutritional outcomes of these programmes," Chaturvedi said.
The committee, comprising joint secretaries from multiple ministries and representatives from NITI Aayog, is responsible for coordinating and reviewing the progress of initiatives outlined in the strategic plan.
The CSP, supported by a Memorandum of Understanding between India’s agriculture ministry and the UN-WFP, focuses on four key outcomes: enhancing food-based social protection systems, promoting diverse and nutritious diets, empowering women financially, and building climate-resilient food systems.
WFP Country Director Elizabeth Faure briefed the committee on ongoing initiatives, including efforts to improve food security for smallholder farmers in Assam, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. She also noted the nationwide push to mainstream millet consumption.
The meeting included representatives from ministries such as Food and Public Distribution, Women and Child Development, and Rural Development, as well as agencies like the National Disaster Management Authority and India Meteorological Department.
India, the world's most populous nation, continues to face significant challenges in ensuring food security for its 1.4 billion people.
Follow us
