Attachments
Highlights
The World Food Programme (WFP) launched the Adaptation for Resilience (ADAPT4R) project on 21 October, in collaboration with the ministries of environment of the governments of India and Sri Lanka. This five-year project, supported by the Adaptation Fund, aims to enhance food security, and build climate resilience among small farmers in both countries. Following the launch, the first meeting of the Regional Project Steering Committee was also held, where both governments formally approved the project's implementation plan.
Operational Updates
Social Protection and Supply Chain
• Two stand-alone ‘Annapurti’ solutions (automated multi-commodity dispensing machines) recently launched in August and September have proven to be very successful. These solutions ensure beneficiaries have precise, round-the-clock access to essential food entitlements through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and were installed in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and Bhavnagar, Gujarat. This month, the units distributed 12 mt of grains in Odisha and 17 mt in Gujarat, tackling challenges such as distribution accuracy and long waiting times. Alongside the 28 fair price shop-based Annapurti units nationwide, these solutions promote authenticated, transparent, and efficient grain access with minimal manual intervention, advancing accountability and accessibility in TPDS.
Nutrition and School Feeding
• WFP’s Technical Support Unit for Rice Fortification in Kerala organised a two-day national workshop titled "Innovative Strategies for Global Nutrition Security: Focus on Fortification" on the World Food Day. Agriculture Minister Mr P. Prasad inaugurated the event, which drew more than 150 attendees, including specialists from medical colleagues and research institutes.
• In Assam, through the "Poshan Pratham" (Nutrition First) social behaviour change communication (SBCC) campaign on fortified rice, 32 cooking events were organized, engaging more than 2,800 participants, comprising local officials and community members.
• WFP promotes rice fortification through training on quality standards. In October, training sessions were conducted in five states including Chhattisgarh, Haryana Odisha, Bihar, and Maharashtra, targeting 144 rice millers, 248 government functionaries, 2,714 school cooks, 160 medical officials and 830 community health workers.