**Policy Summary:**
The Government of India, through the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), has partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP) to address global hunger. A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed on August 25, 2025, formalizing the collaboration, which will enable WFP to procure fortified rice from India for distribution to vulnerable populations in crisis zones worldwide. This initiative leverages India's agricultural surplus to provide life-saving aid and combat food insecurity.
The collaboration builds upon discussions held at the February 2025 Executive Board side event in Rome between Indian government representatives and WFP. The LoI aims to establish a reliable supply of food grains for humanitarian purposes.
Ongoing collaborative efforts between DFPD and WFP include supply chain optimization, distribution procurement, fortified rice rollout, Annapurti Devices (Grain ATMs), Jan Poshan Kendra, smart warehousing technology, and Flospans Mobile Storage Units. Future areas of collaboration were also discussed.
Key participants in the announcement included Mr. Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, DFPD, Government of India; Mr. Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director, WFP; Mr. Ashutosh Agnihotri, Chairman and Managing Director, Food Corporation of India; Mr. Samir Wanmali, WFP APARO, Regional Director; and Ms. Elisabeth Faure, WFP India, Country Director, along with other senior officers of the DFPD, Government of India.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for food security and consumer protection.
World Food Programme (WFP): A leading humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide.
India: Sourcing country of fortified rice.
Letter of Intent (LoI): A document signed between the Government of India and the World Food Programme to address the global hunger crisis.
Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD): The department of the Government of India offering WFP the opportunity to supply fortified rice.
Sanjeev Chopra: Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Government of India.
Carl Skau: Deputy Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP).
Rome: Location of the February 2025 Executive Board side event where discussions between the Indian government and WFP took place.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
India Partners with World Food Programme to Fight
Global Hunger
India committed to assisting countries facing food
security: Food Secy
Posted On: 25 AUG 2025 5:03PM by PIB Delhi
The Government of India and the World Food Programme (WFP) today announced a significant milestone in
their collaboration aimed at addressing the global hunger crisis by signing a Letter of Intent (LoI).
Under this initiative, the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Government of India,
offers WFP the opportunity to supply fortified rice from India, aiding in fulfilling the food and
nutritional requirements of the most vulnerable populations in crisis zones globally.
This collaboration underscores the strength of global partnerships. By sourcing rice from India, WFP
will utilise the resources of an agricultural surplus nation to deliver life-saving aid and make tangible
progress against hunger.
“India is committed to the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the earth is one family – and
collective responsibility towards each other and their shared future. The country’s humanitarian
support for communities in need, facing food insecurity is part of this approach,” said Mr. Sanjeev
Chopra, Secretary, DFPD, Government of India.
"We deeply appreciate India’s steadfast commitment to fostering a food-secure and peaceful world,"
said Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director, WFP. "This partnership reflects our joint intent to
strengthen global efforts and ensure sustained support for those in need," he added.
Expressing gratitude, WFP’s Deputy Executive Director lauded India’s contribution to the fight
against hunger, especially as the world faces rising food insecurity amid constrained humanitarian
funding.
The initiative signifies the culmination of the discussions at the February 2025 Executive Board side
event in Rome, where representatives from the Indian government and WFP explored ways to
collaborate. This LoI lays the ground to ensure a dependable supply of Food grains for
humanitarian distribution.
Other ongoing collaborative efforts with WFP such as Supply Chain Optimization (Distribution /
Procurement), Fortified Rice Rollout, Annapurti Devices (Grain ATMs), Jan Poshan Kendra, Smart
Warehousing technology and Flospans (Mobile Storage Units) were deliberated along with the
potential areas for future collaboration.
Also present were Mr. Ashutosh Agnihotri, Chairman and Managing Director, Food Corporation of
India; Mr. Samir Wanmali, WFP APARO, Regional Director; Ms. Elisabeth Faure, WFP India,
Country Director and other senior officers of the DFPD, Government of India.
*******
AD/NS(Release ID: 2160603)