United Nations World Food Program (WFP) representative and country director Bisho Parjuli said that it is important to eliminate social taboos regarding food diversification to improve nutritional levels among the Indian population. indianexpress.com.
He said that people have to be told that eating only rice or roti with minimum amount of vegetables or pulses would lead to malnutrition.
Interview excerpts:
WFP is operating in India since 1963. What has it achieved in the country over the years?
Over the past decade, our focus has been more on the areas of observing evidence with emphasis on technical assistance, demonstration of best practices, and partnerships with central and state governments for Public Distribution System (PDS). We are also working towards improving the nutrition level under MDM scheme and ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) programme.
We have also been supporting the response to climate change by looking at grassroots accounts of hunger and malnutrition.
Has the WFP seen steady improvement in meeting the challenge of ensuring adequate nutritional levels in India?
India has changed from a food-deficit country to a food-surplus country. With biometric system- one nation one ration Card (ONORC) – covering food supply for nearly 800 million people, Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme caters to 120 million beneficiaries, and among other schemes covering Anganwadis, India has improved on several fronts .
Also, despite the amazing efforts made during the pandemic, the problem of malnutrition remains in the country. It is unfortunate that high levels of stunting and anemia are prevalent in some states.
The recent announcement by the Prime Minister towards fortification of rice distributed through ration shops, MDMs or ICDS is a good step. The latest decision to extend the MDM scheme to PM POSHAN (Prime Minister’s Comprehensive Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) has been taken following the clear realization that nutritional support is mandatory from childhood till a certain age. With these intensive efforts, the situation is expected to improve.
After the outbreak of the pandemic, what has been the biggest learning for WFP in India? Has it in any way hindered the progress made over the years?
it’s a pity, COVID-19 This has resulted in huge job losses and reduced growth opportunities. With the second wave of the pandemic leaving a lasting impact, food and nutrition intake has also been adversely affected. Continuous efforts should be made to take forward all the nutritional schemes at the state level also. This can help in ensuring that the beneficiaries are self-sustaining over time and are able to deal with similar crisis in future.
WFP learns how to work towards improving diverse food, comprehensive coverage for migrants through ONORC, and remodeling food systems from India’s ability to respond rapidly to the pandemic can be done. To improve the level of nutrition it is important to end the social taboos regarding food diversification. Also, a campaign should now be launched to inform citizens that eating only rice or roti with at least vegetables or pulses leads to malnutrition.
What is your opinion on the continuing reports of malnutrition among children in many states including Karnataka?
Stunted growth and malnutrition depend on many factors other than the lack of adequate food. Poor sanitation, limited access to health facilities and inadequate distribution of clean drinking water must also be considered.
A healthy approach is needed to address malnutrition. Many times, we have heard from Anganwadi workers that caste practices restrict diversification of food. With Karnataka being a prosperous state, the government will be able to overcome this by seeking support from us and other concerned players in the region.
What is WFP’s next big plan to improve the situation in India?
WFP is developing and implementing a country-specific strategy in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, to help governments improve all ongoing programmes, on the technological front as well as responding to climate change. help in meeting the needs of agriculture. .
Presently we are focusing on states like Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. With more resources and support expected in the coming years, we will be able to partner the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and the North-Eastern states.
What is your biggest achievement from this trip to Bangalore?
The eradication of hunger is not only the responsibility of the government. While there are gaps in the implementation of the National Food Security Act and distribution of ration cards in some states, efforts by the WFP and civil society organizations such as the Akshaya Patra Foundation (TAPF) become critical in ensuring that no one is left behind. .
With this visit, my primary objective was to strengthen our (WFP) strategic alliance with TAPF and explore how our collaboration can reach more schools in India, our nearest neighbors and beyond.
We have also realized how a public-private partnership (PPP) model would work best. Largely centralized kitchens, such as those used by TAPF, had helped with food distribution even during the pandemic. Governments can bring in such cooperation to reduce the burden of planning and logistics, and can implement such schemes in a hassle-free manner even in unprecedented circumstances.
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