Context: On World Food Day 2025, India and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) marked 80 years of partnership, highlighting India’s journey from food scarcity to self-sufficiency and global leadership in sustainable agriculture.
The collaboration symbolises India’s long-standing commitment to achieving food and nutritional security through innovation, inclusivity, and international cooperation.
India’s Achievements in Food Security:
- Resilient Agriculture Base: Despite having less than 4% of the world’s arable land and freshwater, India ensures food self-sufficiency and price stability through efficient policies and technological advances.
- Public Distribution & Welfare: The National Food Security Act (NFSA) guarantees subsidised food to over 800 million beneficiaries, supported by MSP (Minimum Support Price) and public stockholding systems.
- Empowering Small Farmers: With 146 million small and marginal cultivators, India’s targeted interventions — like PM-KISAN, Fasal Bima Yojana, and Soil Health Card Scheme — form the backbone of its agri-economy.
- Agri-Tech & Sustainability: Digital platforms like eNAM, Kisan Drone Initiative, and Millet Mission are redefining productivity, market access, and climate resilience.
About the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO):
- Founded: 1945
- Headquarters: Rome, Italy
- Membership: 194 countries; operations in over 130 nations
- Motto: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life for all
- Role: FAO acts as the custodian for 62 indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting data-driven policymaking and international coordination in food systems.
India–FAO Partnership Highlights:
- Founding Membership:
India has been associated with FAO since its inception in 1945, actively shaping agricultural and food policies. - Post-Independence Collaboration:
FAO’s early technical assistance supported India’s Green Revolution and development of its agricultural research institutions. - Recent Initiatives:
- Blue Ports Initiative: Promoting sustainable fisheries and coastal livelihoods.
- Millets Promotion: Jointly led the International Year of Millets (2023) campaign to global success.
- Climate-Smart Agriculture: Collaborative projects for resilient crop systems and biodiversity conservation.
Significance:
- Strengthens India’s global leadership in food and nutrition governance.
- Reinforces SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) through inclusive, sustainable agricultural models.
- Enhances South–South Cooperation, allowing India to share best practices with developing nations.
Conclusion:
The 80-year India–FAO partnership reflects a shared vision for a hunger-free, sustainable, and equitable world. As India transitions from food security to nutrition security, this collaboration will continue to drive innovations in agriculture, climate resilience, and rural development for decades to come.