The Akshaya Patra Foundation (TAPF) as well as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in India will collaborate to improve the efficiency of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme (earlier Mid-Day Meal Scheme).
A deal was signed between Bishow Parajuli the country director and representative of WFP in India and Chanchalapthi Dasa, vice-chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, recently in New Delhi.
"The partnership can be a powerful force multiplier by bringing experience and knowledge together. Since its inception at the beginning of 1961 the school meal has been a part of the WFP's mission. WFP has more than six years of experience in supporting school feeding , and has a history of working with over 100 countries to establish schools that are sustainable and have a long-term plan for feeding their children," said Parajuli.
"India is strategically significant for School Meals Coalition that was created last year using WFP as the coordinator, since it runs the largest school food program around the globe, providing an emergency food safety net for schoolchildren. India's impressive track record in school feeding programmes as well as the related initiatives may be an asset to other nations," he added.
"The nation has made strides towards ensuring food security. The school feeding program in India has helped ensure the security of food for children. Through this partnership, we hope to strengthen WFP's global network of large-scale food programs all over the world, using our expertise in fighting hunger on a local and local level." Dasa said. Dasa.
"We are further looking forward to cross-learning exercise between countries in the region and the global South on the school meals programme to ensure a world where children need not toil before they eat; where children need not earn before they learn," said Dasa.
In light of their knowledge and experience in fighting malnutrition and hunger The longer-term goal of this partnership is to bridge the operational and execution gaps in hygiene and food safety projects, the capabilities of cooks-cum-helpers and the nutritional value of the meals served.
From sharing knowledge between the two organizations to joint workshops that show the effectiveness of the PM-POSHAN programme in India The proposed areas of cooperation will likely to include discussions with the government to provide additional policy-related and strategy-related aspects which will improve schools' quality meals program.
It is expected that the WFP along with Akshaya Patra will form a Steering Committee comprising representatives from both organisations. The Steering Committee will meet every quarter to discuss, plan, and examine different aspects of the collaboration. Both organizations will contribute the financial resources needed to help implement the initiatives
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