**Summary:**
On August 25, 2025, Mr. Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Food Programme (WFP), met with Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW), in New Delhi. The meeting centered on WFP's engagements at the national, regional, and global levels, with Dr. Chaturvedi emphasizing the importance of the partnership between the MoAFW and the WFP.
Dr. Chaturvedi outlined India's vision of becoming a global food basket and achieving food and nutrition security through self-sufficiency, emphasizing South-South cooperation as crucial for achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat. He highlighted key advancements in India's agriculture sector, including crop insurance, digital agriculture, traceability, and the role of biofortified crop varieties developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in enhancing food security.
Mr. Skau commended India's progress in advancing food security, while also noting the challenges to global food security posed by conflicts and climate change. He highlighted India's robust social protection systems, diversification and fortification initiatives, promotion of women's economic empowerment, and climate-resilient livelihoods as valuable models for other countries. Mr. Skau expressed WFP's commitment to strengthening collaboration with India in addressing global food insecurity.
Representatives from the Do Food Public Distribution, Mo External Affairs, NRM Division, DAFW, NITI Aayog, and DMEO also attended the meeting.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare: A ministry of the Government of India, abbreviated as MoAFW, responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Carl Skau: Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the World Food Programme (WFP).
Devesh Chaturvedi: Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW).
World Food Programme (WFP): A United Nations agency addressing hunger and promoting food security.
Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi: Location of the meeting between Carl Skau and Devesh Chaturvedi; likely houses offices related to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): An autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
NITI Aayog: National Institution for Transforming India, a policy think tank of the Government of India.
Viksit Bharat: Vision of the Prime Minister of India, related to achieving food and nutrition security.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Mr. Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director & COO of
WFP calls on Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary,
MoA&FW
WFP’s Engagements at National and Regional Level
Discussed
Mr. Carl Skau, commends India’s remarkable
progress in advancing food security
Posted On: 25 AUG 2025 6:28PM by PIB Delhi
Mr. Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer of World Food Programme
(WFP) called on Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare at
Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi today. The meeting focused on discussing WFP’s engagements and
developments at the national as well as regional and global level.
The Secretary, DA&FW, extended a warm welcome to the Deputy Executive Director and other members of
the delegation to the Department. Emphasizing the importance of partnership with the WFP, he commended
WFP’s valued coordination with governments.
The Secretary also shared the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of positioning India as a global food basket,
self-sufficiency for achieving food and nutrition security and underscored the importance of South–South
cooperation as a vital pathway towards achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat. He further outlined key
innovations in India's agriculture sector, including advancements in crop insurance, digital agriculture, and
traceability, among others. He highlighted the critical role of bio-fortified crop varieties developed by the
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in enhancing food security.Mr. Carl Skau, DED & COO of WFP commended India’s remarkable progress in advancing food security. He
observed that the global food security situation continues to face mounting challenges due to rising conflicts
and the adverse impacts of climate change, and underscored India’s important role in contributing to global
solutions.Mr. Skau emphasized that India offers valuable lessons and models through its robust social
protection systems, diversification and fortification initiatives, promotion of women’s economic
empowerment, and advancement of climate-resilient livelihoods. These experiences, he noted, hold significant
potential for supporting other countries in their efforts to strengthen food security, through the exchange of
knowledge, technologies, and best practices.He further expressed WFP’s commitment to deepening
collaboration and partnership with India in the collective fight against food insecurity.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from D/o Food & Public Distribution, M/o External Affairs,
NRM Division, DA&FW, NITI Aayog and DMEO.
***
RC/KSR/AR
(Release ID: 2160671)