Updated: October 10, 2020 8:13:00 am
The headquarters of the World Food Program in Rome. (Reuters)
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP), which has been working in India since 1963, at a time when the country was struggling with food shortages, has awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said that WFP, which provides food assistance to millions of people around the world, has acted “as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.”
In India, WFP has been working closely with the government, carrying out reforms in the Public Distribution System, as well as piloting innovative solutions such as the recent ‘Annapurti’, automatic grain dispensers – ATMs for rice – that have as an objective to control bad practices in distribution. system.
Commenting on the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize, WFP Representative and Country Director in India, Bishow Parajuli, said: “We are deeply honored… We believe that three pillars are critical to solving the challenges of the food system, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic: national systems of social protection, basic food delivery and nutrition through school programs and resilient food systems. “
Explained | How the Nobel Peace Prize winner WFP has fought hunger around the world
WFP India said that while its focus in the country has been on “transforming the specific public distribution system”, it is also working on the fortification of food distributed under the midday meal program.
According to WFP India, since December 2018, 4,145 metric tons of enriched rice have been distributed to 3 lakh schoolchildren as part of a pilot program in Varanasi.
During the pandemic, WFP India also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission to provide technical assistance for the establishment of supplementary nutrition production units in 18 districts.
Describing WFP’s trip to India as “very good”, Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey said: “WFP has been collaborating with the Department of Food and Public Distribution in areas related to supply chain and rice fortification. , and it is promoting awareness among beneficiaries about best practices in the food sector. “
Explained | Who won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize and why?
“We are also in the process of finalizing a memorandum of understanding between Food Corporation of India and WFP India,” he added.
The Center has also granted approval in principle to WPF for a pilot program of its Annapurti program, as part of which automatic grain dispensing machines will be installed at five locations in five states: Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. These machines, which are expected to verify poor practices in the distribution of PDS, can dispense two products at a speed of 25 kg for 1.3 minutes. Each of these dispensers has a built-in storage capacity of 200 to 500 kg.
According to WFP India, “This solution has become even more relevant during the Covid-19 pandemic as it enables beneficiaries to assert their rights accurately and at the time of their choosing, allowing for social distancing with minimal human contact. “.
The other initiative, Mobile Storage Units (MSU), a “cost-effective solution for the storage of food grains”, according to the Ministry of Food, is being piloted in Odisha and Uttarakhand.
📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay up to date with the latest headlines
For the latest news about India, download the Indian Express app.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
.
