The United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) on Saturday hoisted a multi-stakeholder interactive and consultation session on food security in Odisha on digital mode in which over 80 policymakers, Government actors, NGO partners, academicians and corporate houses deliberated together.
The objective was to feedback inputs from different sectors to make the WFP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 for Odisha more inclusive and effective.
Initiating the deliberation, WFP India Country Director Bishow Parajuli said, “We are glad for our partnership with Odisha as the State is very much focused on ensuring food security to all. Odisha has been a centre of innovative pilots and schemes for improving food and nutrition security. The world has taken note of the innovative programs launched by Odisha and how these schemes provided a food security lifeline during the current pandemic times. Application of biometric technology in making TDPS error-free, rice fortification, nutritious food in MDM and Anganwadi Centres, State food security programme, women-led take-home ration production model are some such interventions in Odisha.”
Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra said, “Government of Odisha is fully committed for reducing poverty and malnutrition. There has been a significant reduction in rural poverty; and food security has improved to a great extent. The partnership between WFP and Odisha has been very effective since last two decades; and six more partnership agreements in new areas have been initiated in the last year alone.”
He asked WFP to undertake more technological application for enhancing outreach of the food security net and improving access to food security, more particularly the for poor and vulnerable sections. He emphasised on aligning the strategic plan towards SDG targets and making it more outcome-oriented.
Parajuli said the Strategic Plan would be finalised soon in collaboration with the Odisha Government incorporating the inputs availed from this interactive session.