MoU signed between United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and Haryana

• 30 Aug 2022

Why In News?

• On August 29, 2022, an MoU was signed between the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Department of Foreign Cooperation of Haryana.

Key Points

• The MoU was signed by Anant Prakash Pandey, Director General of the Department of Foreign Cooperation and Bishov Parajuli, Representative and Country-Director of the United Nations World Food Programme in India in the presence of Yogendra Chaudhary, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Foreign Cooperation.
• The main objective of this agreement is to contribute to achieving the goals of food and nutrition security. This will improve mutual understanding and friendship for the strategic initiatives to be taken between WFP and the State of Haryana and strengthen mutual relations.
• Before signing the MoU, Bishov Parajuli, Representative and Country Director of the United Nations World Food Programme, said the MoU is based on the 'Automated Grain Distribution Machine and 'Annapurti Programme' already running on a pilot basis between the World Food Programme and the Haryana government.
• He said that through this partnership, we aim to bring together technical experts in this field for cross learning by sharing best practices in the field of food and nutritional security, among other activities.
• Anant Prakash Pandey, Director General, Department of Foreign Cooperation, said on the occasion that WFP's global and national expertise will be leveraged through partnerships to achieve national goals for providing food security to the people and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• He said the Haryana government, in collaboration with WFP, would explore other areas such as supply chain adaptation and implementation of public distribution system reforms, women empowerment including financial and social inclusion, climate adaptation and resilient food systems in which to move forward jointly.
• Under this collaboration-framework, WFP will facilitate the transfer and exchange of knowledge, skills and expertise to strengthen existing capabilities and solidify existing systems by providing technical support. The duration of this partnership will be five years.