India Pushes for Integration of Scalable Food Security Interventions & Promotion of Local Crops

India is working to integrate scalable food security measures into government programmes while promoting local crop varieties. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi emphasized the need for a focused approach and suggested including Farmer Producer Organizations in initiatives. The strategic plan, in cooperation with the UN World Food Programme, aims to enhance food protection, diversify diets, empower women, and build climate-resilient systems.

India is focusing on integrating scalable food security measures into its existing government programmes, while also promoting local crop varieties, according to a top government official.

Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi outlined these priorities during a review of the UN World Food Programme's (WFP) 2023-2027 country strategic plan (CSP) for India.

Chairing the first meeting of the Country Programme Advisory Committee under the new CSP, Chaturvedi suggested officers identify scalable interventions and prepare mechanisms to incorporate them into ongoing ministry programmes. He emphasized holding a workshop dedicated to discussing these initiatives in detail and focusing on promoting nutritious local varieties of rice, millets, and fortified cereals.

Incorporating Farmer Producer Organizations into various initiatives was also suggested. Assessing nutritional outcomes against standards applicable to the Indian population was highlighted. The committee, including joint secretaries from multiple ministries and NITI Aayog representatives, will coordinate and review the progress of the strategic plan's initiatives.

The CSP, based on a memorandum of understanding between India's agriculture ministry and the UN-WFP, targets four main 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 updated the committee on current initiatives, including efforts to improve food security for smallholder farmers in several states and promoting millets nationwide.

The meeting also saw participation from other ministries such as Food & Public Distribution, Women and Child Development, Rural Development, and agencies like the National Disaster Management Authority and India Meteorological Department. With a population of 1.4 billion, India faces monumental challenges in ensuring food security.

(With inputs from agencies.)