Shillong (Meghalaya ), Nov 18 : In a significant step towards enhancing food security, the Meghalaya State Government has joined forces with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to bolster the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state. A meeting held here today marked the beginning of this collaborative effort, attended by C Yambon, Minister in charge of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, and Ms. Elisabeth Faure, Country Director of the UN-WFP.
The partnership aims to address current challenges and areas for improvement in the PDS system, ensuring that people can meet their urgent food and nutrition needs. This will be achieved through the exploration of innovative technologies and strategies to enhance transparency and accountability in the PDS supply chain in Meghalaya. The collaboration will also focus on formulating a collaborative roadmap that aligns with the State’s objective for food security in Meghalaya and sharing best practices from other states to enhance the effectiveness of the PDS .
The meeting discussed the importance of strengthening national systems, including emergency preparedness and response, food, and social protection systems. The partnership will prioritize the needs of smallholder farmers and rural communities most vulnerable to climate change, especially women. The partners will work to design projects and programs to help eligible countries, undertake joint activities in technical assistance, capacity building, and the promotion of innovative technical and financial solutions, and promote knowledge sharing.
By joining forces, Meghalaya and the WFP aim to reduce malnutrition in all its forms and bolster national safety nets and social assistance programs. The partnership will also support governments and communities to develop sustainable food systems, better manage economic and climatic shocks, and improve lives and livelihoods.
This collaborative effort is a significant step towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2, “Zero Hunger,” and ensuring that no one is left behind in Meghalaya’s pursuit of food security.
