Question : MoU with UNWFP

(a) the salient features of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Government of India and the United Nations World Food Programme;
(b) the detailed steps envisaged by the Government to achieve the Strategic Outcomes enlisted under the said MoU;
(c) the details regarding country’s performance with regard to SDG 2 (Sustainable Development Goal-2) during the last five years, especially with regard to sustainable agriculture practices; and
(d) the ways and means in which the MoU can help to supplement country’s domestic efforts in this regard?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE
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(a): The MoU on cooperation for 2019-2023 signed between Government of India & the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) (the Parties) on 1st February 2019 builds upon the “Basic Agreement” entered into by the Parties in 1968. Through this MoU, the parties mutually agreed on the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2019-2023. The MoU enjoins on each party:
(i) To cooperate and facilitate the implementation of the CSP subject to UNWFP securing funds for the components described under each Strategic Outcome.
(ii) To mobilize resources in support of the CSP, including undertaking resource mobilization activities involving, without limitation, other governments, multilateral agencies, foundations, National and multinational corporations, individuals and the private sector to meet the resource gap of the CSP. In support of the needs of the CSP, Government will support UNWFP to mobilize resources from prospective donor partners and endorse, as appropriate.
(iii) The expansion of activities in additional states or the addition of any activities will be discussed and agreed through annual organization of Country Programme Advisory Committee (CPAC) and Annual Work Planning Process.
(iv) The implementation of the CSP will follow a four-phased approach:
a) Designing pilot projects or approaches on the basis of sound situation analysis to address known gaps in design, knowledge or technology,
b) Implementation of pilot projects or approaches and demonstration of the results,
c) Assessment, evaluation, documentation and preparation of replicable, cost-effective models and advocacy for scale-up and
d) Providing support for scale-up.
(b) : The Government has committed to allocate its portion of necessary resources as required in the CSP 2019-2023 as well as to contribute a substantial portion of the costs of the UNWFP Country office. A Country Programme Advisory Committee (CPAC) comprising representatives from the concerned Ministries and the NITI Aayog has been constituted to review the Progress of CSP. Three Ministries have been designated as the Lead Ministries for 03(Three) Strategic Outcomes to facilitate the need-based co-ordination with other ministries, the state governments, according approvals for the studies, assessments and facilitate sharing of learning across the states.
(c) : Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has developed a National Indicator Framework (NIF) along with identified data sources and periodicity to facilitate the monitoring of country’s progress with regard to SDGs. As informed by the MoSPI, there are 8 targets in SDG 2 to measure the availability of food, improvement in nutrition and promotion of sustainable agriculture. A total of 18 indicators have been included in the NIF to measure and monitor the progress of these targets. The time series data on SDG 2 indicators included in the NIF is at Annexure A.
(d): Under the MoU the country will gain from the global experience of UNWFP and receive technical assistance from the UNWFP in furtherance of the Objectives and Outcomes described in the CSP. The UNWFP will also provide technical assistance for assessment and development of cost effective replicable models. This may include consultancy services for the design of the solutions, assessment of the operational environment and development of plans for scale-up and advocacy. Support will also be provided by UNWFP for pertinent monitoring and evaluation related activities, food security analysis and hunger mapping.

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