WFP and Government of Odisha join forces to improve food and nutrition security

“The partnership links two critical aspects: equal access, particularly around livelihoods for girls and women to address hunger and achieve nutritional security; and adaption of millets in support of climate-resilient food production and nutritional security, especially among vulnerable communities,” said WFP Country Director in India, Bishow Parajuli. 

“The United Nations General Assembly recently adopted a resolution moved by India, declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets, highlighting the importance of initiatives like the Odisha Millets Mission,” Parajuli added.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 18th March by Mr. Parajuli and Director, Agriculture and Food Production, Odisha, M Muthukumar, on creating regional and global policy dialogues around millets as a climate-adaptable cereal for nutritional security will be implemented with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Odisha Millets Mission.

“The flagship programme for the promotion of millets in tribal areas of Odisha is aimed to revive millets in farms and on plates. Together with WFP, we will capture and share lessons learned from Odisha Millets Mission and widely disseminate it for adoption in other countries as well,” said Dr. M Muthukumar.



WFP and the Department of Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti have also agreed partnering on empowering women by supporting Women’s Self-Help Groups through technical assistance and capacity development contributing to long-term food security.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.  It is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

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