To mark the long-standing relation of India with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release a commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination on the organization’s 75th anniversary on Friday.
Modi will also dedicate to the nation 17 recently developed biofortified varieties of eight crops, his office said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The event marks the highest priority accorded by the government to agriculture and nutrition and is a testament of the resolve to completely eliminate hunger, undernourishment and malnutrition. It will be witnessed by Anganwadis, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Organic and Horticulture Missions across the country,” it said.
The journey of FAO in making the vulnerable classes and masses stronger, economically and nutritionally, has been unparalleled, the statement noted, adding that India has had a historic association with the organisation.
Indian civil service officer Binay Ranjan Sen was the Director-General of FAO during 1956-1967. The World Food Programme, which has won the Nobel Peace Prize 2020, was established during his time, it said.
India’s proposals for the International Year of Pulses in 2016 and the International Year of Millets 2023 have also been endorsed by FAO, it said.
“The 17 recently developed biofortified varieties of eight crops to be dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister will have up to a 3.0-fold increase in nutritional value,” the statement said.
“These varieties, along with other food ingredients, will transform the normal Indian thali into Nutri-thali,” it added.
The production of biofortified crop varieties will be upscaled and linked with government programmes of mid-day meal, Anganwadi etc. to reduce malnutrition and make India KuposhanMukta through naturally enriched food ingredients, the statement said.
“This will also usher in the higher income of farmers and will open new avenues of entrepreneurship development,” it added.
