Attachments
Highlights
The September edition of the Agri Food Café was curated and hosted by WFP. The topic was ‘Maximizing the Benefits of Carbon Credits in India’s Agricultural Sector’. Experts discussed relatively less explored aspects of carbon trading and its linkage with sustainable food security, highlighting the need for supportive policies, innovation, and international collaboration. The speakers included Dr Umang Agarwal (Grow Indigo), Ashwin Shailaja (Gold Standard), and Yeshika Malik (World Bank). The Agri Food Café is a joint platform supported by FAO, IFAD, GIZ, WFP, and the World Bank.
Operational Updates
Social protection and supply chain
A standalone grain ATM, which can dispense grain entitlements to beneficiaries, was launched in Gujarat's Bhavnagar on 17 September. The solution was inaugurated by the Honourable Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Nimuben Bambhaniya. This is the second such 24/7 grain ATM called Annapurti after the one in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It addresses issues like long queues and ensures correct quantities, and thereby enhances transparency and fast grain dispensing within the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
Nutrition and school feeding
• WFP and IIT Bombay organised the 2nd roundtable discussion on "Malnutrition in India: Prevention and Reduction Strategies" on 4th September. The roundtable brought together a wide range of participants from research institutions, civil society organizations, grassroots groups, industry experts, and government agencies, who exchanged ideas and practical strategies to tackle malnutrition in India. A policy brief is under preparation based on the discussions.
• In Chhattisgarh, the Rice Fortification Technical Support Unit at the College of Food Technology, IGKV Raipur, organised a workshop with WFP titled ‘Rice Fortification: Technical Aspects, Current Status, Challenges, and Solutions’ on 19-20 September. The workshop was attended by government officials, policymakers, rice millers, fortified rice kernel manufacturers, and academia. At the workshop, participants reviewed the progress and challenges of the rice fortification rollout in the State.
• WFP promotes rice fortification by providing capacity-building sessions, including for 293 rice millers in Assam and Chhattisgarh, 618 Integrated Child Development Service officials in the states of Bihar and Odisha, and 399 teachers in Uttarakhand. In Assam, the ‘Poshan Pratham’ (Nutrition First) social behaviour change communication campaign was launched to promote the benefits of fortified rice. Over 1,900 people have been reached with cooking demonstrations, with a plan to reach across 18 high-burden districts in Assam.
• In Jaipur, Rajasthan, WFP collaborated with over a thousand schools to celebrate "Poshan Maah," a nationwide celebration to promote nutrition awareness involving 64,904 children, 3,468 teachers, 1,387 school cooks, and 2,892 community members. Activities included village rallies, health and hygiene discussions, pledge-taking, and slogans to promote nutrition awareness.
Women empowerment
• WFP India’s gender results network conducted a webinar on 20 September, reinforcing zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. The session aimed to raise awareness and equip participants to prevent and address these serious violations, fostering a safer and more inclusive work environment.
• On 30 September, WFP organised a state-level consultation with the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Haryana, to address gender inequality and malnutrition. The consultation focused on the challenges and the role of frontline workers in addressing these issues in the community, and emphasised the need to tackle social norms and practices.