WFP, ICRISAT sign agreement for climate-resilient food security in India

WFP-ICRISAT agreement: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have partnered on programmes and research to strengthen food, nutrition security, and livelihoods in India. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on September 23, 2021, between WFP India representative and country director Bishow Parajuli and Director-General ICRISAT Jacqueline Hughes.

“The partnership of WFP-ICRISAT aims at generating ideas and frameworks for policy positions relevant not just for India but regularly and globally”, said Director-General ICRISAT Jacqueline Hughes. The WFP-ICRISAT partnership signing coincides with the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit.

WFP-ICRISAT agreement - About

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) on programmes and research to improve food, nutrition security, and livelihoods in India. The partnership of WFP-ICRISAT is a strategic one as both the institutions are aligned by their vision of food security, especially for the most vulnerable communities and the poorest.

WFP-ICRISAT agreement - Significance

The frequent and increasing number of climate crises and shocks such as the COVID19 pandemic have worsened the hunger situation globally, and pose a threat to food security, nutrition, and the livelihoods of millions.

The focus areas of ICRISAT are climate-resilient food security, nutrition, and livelihoods especially for ecological vulnerable communities and smallholder farmers. In the latest 6^th Assessment Report by IPCC, an alarm was raised on the impact of climate change on food security and agriculture.

The WFP-ICRISAT partnership strengthens efforts to bring together knowledge, science, and implementation frameworks to strengthen food security, nutrition, and livelihoods that are resilient to climate change. The partnership holds significance as it will focus on vulnerability analysis at the state level in India and it will be directed towards evolving a sustainable food systems approach.

WFP-ICRISAT agreement: What will WFP and ICRISAT do?

The WFP in India and ICRISAT will work in partnership to promote research, advocacy, and raise awareness on traditional nutritious crops, undertake food and nutritional security analysis, and adapt strategies, among other activities.

About World Food Programme

Established in 1961, the United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization that focuses on building prosperity, saving lives in emergencies, and supporting a sustainable future for people who are recovering from disasters, conflict and the impact of climate change.

About ICRISAT

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is a non-profit, non-political international organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

ICRISAT and its partners work towards empowering the poorest of the poor people across the world to overcome the threats of poverty, hunger, and a degraded environment through better agriculture.