Wheat Procurement from India by UN World Food Programme

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) has said that it is in discussions with India on procurement of wheat as several countries face food security challenges amid the Ukraine war.

Background:

India, in February 2022, signed an agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for the distribution of 50,000 MT of wheat that it has committed to sending Afghanistan as part of a humanitarian assistance.

• India’s wheat production stood at 109.59 million tonnes in the 2020-21 crop year (July-June).

What is the UN WFP?

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the food assistance branch of the United Nations and the world’s largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security.

• Born in 1961, the WFP strives to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, with the ultimate goal in mind of eliminating the need for food aid itself.
• It is a member of the United Nations Development Group and part of its Executive Committee.
• WFP food aid is also directed to fight micronutrient deficiencies, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, and combat disease, including HIV and AIDS.

It works closely with the other two Rome-based UN agencies:

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which helps countries draw up policy and change legislation to support sustainable agriculture.
• The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which finances projects in poor rural areas.

Funding:

The WFP has no independent source of funds, it is funded entirely by voluntary donations. Its principal donors are governments, but the organization also receives donations from the private sector and individuals.