World Food Programme (WFP) has lauded Odisha’s efforts for successful implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in the state and also hailed its other food security related initiatives.

Odisha has been ranked number one performing state in the country in this respect.

Country director, WFP, Bishow Parajuli on Friday called on minister food supply & consumer welfare cooperation Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak in Lok-seba Bhavan and discussed various aspects of the implementation of the NFSA.

During the meeting, the Odisha government urged the WFP to set up a centre of excellence on food security in Odisha.

“The centre of excellence will deliberate on various subjects such as bringing all people under the food security umbrella, providing nutritious foods to all, research on climatic change and its impact on food security,” said an official.

He added that the subsidised food scheme (meal at Rs 5) under the Aahar scheme has changed the food security scenario in the urban areas of the state.

During the discussion Nayak apprised the WFP how the state government has been carrying out rice fortification programme on a pilot basis in Malkangiri district since July 2021.

Rice enriched with minerals and vitamins is aimed to address the issue of anaemia and micro-nutrients deficiency among people.

Around 5.46 lakh beneficiaries under the NFSA and State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) are getting the fortified rice.

“We have requested the WFP for base line (prior to the implementation of the scheme) and end line survey (the present status after the implementation of the scheme) of rice fortification programme under the PDS and sharing of survey report so that government can act upon the gaps if exist to improve upon,” said officials.

The state has also requested the WFP to carry out an extensive IEC (Information Education and Communication) activity educating the PDS (Public Distribution System) beneficiaries and other stakeholders like millers, dealers and civil supply functionaries about the benefit of fortified rice.

The Odisha government has also urged WFP to provide at least two Grain ATM machines each for the five Municipal Corporations of the state.

Earlier, the WFP had given an automated Grain ATM to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.

In a related development, the state cabinet on Friday approved the paddy procurement policy. It has set a target to procure 71 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from the farmers.

“While 57 lakh metric tonne of paddy to be procured during the Kharif starting from November, 14 lakh metric tonne of paddy would be procured from farmers starting from March,” said chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra.