Odisha Govt Seeks More Technology Applications From WFP To Ensure Food Security

Bhubaneswar: The state government on Saturday said the partnership between United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) and Odisha has proved effective in ensuring food security in the last two decades, and six more partnership agreements in new areas have been initiated in the last year.

Speaking at a multi-stake holder interactive and consultation session on food security in Odisha on digital mode, chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said, “Odisha government is committed to reduce poverty and mal-nutrition. During last years, there has been significant reduction in rural poverty, and food security has improved to great extent.”

Mahapatra 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 emphasized on aligning the strategic plan towards SDG targets, and make it more outcome oriented.

Bishow Parajuli, Country Director WFP India said, “Odisha is very much focused on ensuring food security to all. It has been a centre of innovative pilots and schemes for improving food and nutrition security. Application of biometric technology in making TDPS error-free, rice fortification, nutritious food in MDM and Anganwadi centers, state food security programme, women-led take home ration production model are some such interventions in Odisha.”

Recalling his working with UNDP, Development Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Jena advised to target the specific areas and communities that are more vulnerable for food and nutrition security, and bring them at par with the rapidly improving State parameters. He emphasised on expeditious achievement of SDG-2 through partnerships.

Hosted by WFP, the meet was attended by more than 80 policy-makers, government actors, NGO partners, academicians and corporate houses. Its objective was to get feedback from different sectors to make the WFP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 for Odisha more inclusive and effective.

Parajuli said the strategic plan would be finalised soon in collaboration with the state government incorporating the inputs availed from the interactive session.