Introduction
IC Section coordinates issues relating to foreign tour and training undertaken by the Officers/officials of the Department. It also acts as an interface with foreign multi-lateral agencies – World Food Programme (WFP), SAARC Food Bank, Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO), International Grains Council (IGC) and International Sugar Organisation (ISO). Section also coordinates the visits of foreign dignitaries in connection with the affairs of this Department and compiles and collect various information which
are sought by various multi-lateral agencies.
Multilateral Agencies
SAARC Food Bank
In pursuance of the decision taken in the 14th SAARC Summit held in New Delhi on April 3-4, 2007, the Heads of States of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) countries have signed the Agreement to establish the SAARC Food Bank. The Food
Bank will supplement national efforts to provide food security to the people of the region. The agreement on Establishing the SAARC Food Bank has since been ratified by the President of India on 17th April, 2007. As per this agreement, SAARC Food Bank shall
have a reserve of foodgrains to be maintained by each member states consisting of either wheat or rice, or a combination of both as assessed share of the country.
India’s initial assessed share in the reserve was 1,53,200 MTs out of a total share of 2,43,000 MTs. The assessed share is presently kept as 3,06,400 MTs out of a total share of 4,86,000 MTs. The reserves have been kept in different strategic locations in
the designated Godowns of Food Corporation of India (FCI). Joint Secretary(IC), Department of Food & Public Distribution has been designated as Member of SAARC Food Bank Board to represent India. The Board has considered and agreed to the proposal to designate
the Central Grain Analysis Laboratory (CGAL), New Delhi as the regional reference laboratory for SAARC Food Bank.
The Ninth SAARC Food Bank Board (SFB) meeting has been held on 21-22 September, 2016 in Kathmandu, Nepal. India represented the meeting at the level Joint Secretary(IC) in the department in the capacity of Member, SAARC Food Bank Board. The meeting inter-alia
discussed matters relating to the review of the Implementation status of the decisions taken at the Eighth Meeting of the SAARC Food Bank Board (Malé, 2-3 September 2015), matters related to amending the Agreement on establishing the SAARC Food Bank, collaboration
and cooperation with the International Organizations (e.g. FAO, IFAD, WFP etc.) to enhance regional food security. A presentation by SAARC Agriculture Centre on the status of the SAARC Food Bank Information System (SFBIS) was also made.
The Tenth SAARC Food Bank Board (SFB) meeting was held on 21st - 22nd January, 2019 in Islamabad, Pakistan. Representative from MEA attended the meeting on behalf of Government of India. During the meeting inter-alia issues relating to review of the Status
of Implementation of the decisions taken at the Ninth Meeting of the SAARC Food Bank Board (Kathmandu, 21-22 September 2016), Consideration of the update on the draft amendment to the Agreement on establishing the SAARC Food Bank, Matters relating to formulation
of Guidelines on Storage Methods, Practices and Quality Control Measures, Collaboration and Cooperation with International Organizations (e.g. FAO, IFAD, UNESCAP, WFP etc.) to enhance regional food and nutrition security. It was also decided that Sri Lanka
would convey its decision within two months on hosting the Eleventh Meeting of the SAARC Food Bank Board in January 2020.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATION (FAO)
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is one of the largest specialized agencies in the UN System founded in 1945 with a mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standard of living by improving agricultural productivity and living conditions of rural
population. The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) serves as a forum in the United Nations System for review and follow-up of policies concerning world food security, including food production, physical and economic access to food. India is a member to
both FAO and CFS. Committee on World Food Security (CFS) monitors the progress of implementation of the WFS Plan of Action.
The 45th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) was held at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy from 15th – 19 October, 2018 which was attended by Shri Kamal Datta, Joint Secretary (Impex & IC) Inter-alia the deliberation on the following issues
were made during the Session:-
I. STATE OF FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN THE WORLD 2018
II. STATE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2018: PANEL DISCUSSION
iii CRITICAL AND EMERGING ISSUES IN FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION - TOWARDS A STRATEGIC MULTI-YEAR PROGRAMME OF WORK (MYPoW) 2020-2023
iv. CFS WORKSTREAM UPDATES AND DECISIONS
a) Endorsement of the Terms of Reference for Policy Guidance on Food
b) CFS and the 2030 Agenda: Contributions to the High Level Political Forum (HLPF)
v. GLOBAL THEMATIC EVENT ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD GUIDELINES
vi. THE HIGH LEVEL PANEL OF EXPERTS (HLPE) REPORT ON MULTISTAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS TO FINANCE AND IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE 2030 AGENDA
vii. GOOD PRACTICES AND LESSON SHARING
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME
WFP in collaboration with the Government of Odisha is fortifying school meals with multiple micronutrients, reaching 200,000 schoolchildren aged 6-14 years daily through the Mid-Day Meals Scheme.
In Kerala, WFP is focusing on reducing micronutrient malnutrition among children below 3 years of age by assuring fortification of take-home rations provided through the government scheme. Training has been provided to anganwadi workers on the use of tools
for the improved nutritional status of children, feeding and cooking practices. WFP has also been providing technical support for the Central project Monitoring Unit of DFPD for end to end computerization of TPDS operations.
WFP’s Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2019-23)
Country Strategic Programme (CSP 2019-2023) seeks to support India in inter-alia achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2 by capitalizing on its investments.
Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
The Strategic Outcome 1 of CSP 2019-2023 which is mainly relates to this Department states as under:-
Strategic outcome 1: The most vulnerable people in India are better able to meet their minimum food and nutrition all year;
between Government of India and the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP’s) on cooperation for 2019-2023.
Activity 1 : Provide policy inputs, advocacy and technical assistance aimed at enhancing the efficiency, targeting service delivery and supply chain of government programmes for improving access to food.
The Annual Work Plan for the year 2019 is not yet been received from the WFP.
G-20 MATTERS
A Steering Committee has been constituted in the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmer Welfare under the Chairmanship of Secretary (DAC&FW to oversee the development, follow-up action on the initiative declared in Ministerial declaration endorsed
at G-20 Agriculture Ministers meeting held in June, 2011. The Committee is comprised of representatives from different line Ministries. Deptt. of Food & P.D. has been made the Nodal Department for (i) Rapid Response Forum and (ii) Emergency Humanitarian Food
Reserves. Besides, this Department has been included as a member of Agricultural Marketing Information System (AMIS) under the Nodal authority of Deptt. of Agriculture Coop. and Farmer Welfare to carry out different mandate as considered appropriate.
International Grains Councils (IGC)
India is a member of the International Grains Council (IGC), an inter-governmental forum of exporting and importing countries for co-operation in wheat and coarse grain matters which was previously known as International Wheat Council up to 1995. It administers
the Grains Trade Convention 1995. The IGC Secretariat, based in London since 1949, also services the Food Aid Committee, established under the Food Aid Convention. International Grains Agreement comprises of Grains Trade Convention (GTC) and Food Aid Convention
(FAC). India is a signatory to the International Grains Agreement (IGA) 1995 and its Grain Trade Convention (GTC) 1995 which is effective from 1st July 1995. IGC have two types of members - Importing Members and Exporting Members. India has been included in
the category of Exporting members in July, 2003 and represented in the meetings/session of the Council held from time to time. Besides, this Department also participates in other meetings of IGC like Market Conditions Committee meetings and Executive Committee
meetings. Department of Food & P.D. pays India’s Annual membership contribution to the Council.
Foreign Visits
Visits by Foreign Dignitaries/ Delegations
A working meeting with a 20 members delegation from Philippines delegation taken by Secretary (F&PD) Department of Food and Public Distribution on 17th January, 2017 coming to India for Aadhaar Study Exchange.
A working meeting with a delegation led by Mr. Iskandar Simorangkir, Deputy for Macroeconomic and Financial Coordination, Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Republic of Indonesia with Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution on 19th
July,2017 was held for discussion on 'ensuring the food security for the country.
A working meeting with Counsellor for Agriculture of Australia, Dr. Nora Galway with Shri Kamal Datta, Joint Secretary (Impex & IC), Department of Food & Public Distribution was held on 18th April, 2018 for discussion on issues relating to storage and infrastructure
related issues in India.