India partners with World Food Programme to supply fortified rice for global hunger relief

India has teamed up with the World Food Programme (WFP) to combat global hunger by agreeing to supply fortified rice to crisis-affected populations worldwide.

The partnership was formalized through a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed between the WFP and the Government of India, marking a new milestone in international efforts to ensure food security for vulnerable communities.

According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the initiative allows WFP to procure fortified rice directly from India, a food-surplus country, to meet the nutritional needs of populations facing severe food insecurity.

“Under this initiative, the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) offers WFP the opportunity to source fortified rice from India, aiding in fulfilling the food and nutritional requirements of the most vulnerable populations in crisis zones globally,” the ministry stated.

Food and Public Distribution Secretary Sanjeev Chopra underscored India’s guiding philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which translates to ‘the world is one family,’ and its commitment to collective responsibility.

“India’s humanitarian support for communities in need, facing food insecurity, is part of this approach,” Chopra said.

WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau praised India’s timely intervention as global food insecurity continues to rise, compounded by conflict, climate shocks, and constrained funding.

“We deeply appreciate India’s steadfast commitment to fostering a food-secure and peaceful world,” Skau noted, calling the collaboration a clear demonstration of India’s leadership in humanitarian assistance.

The agreement builds on discussions held in February 2025 at the WFP Executive Board side event in Rome, where Indian government officials and WFP representatives explored opportunities for collaboration in food distribution and nutritional support.

The LoI establishes a framework to secure consistent supplies of food grains for humanitarian purposes, improving the efficiency of global relief efforts.

The Ministry added that WFP and the World Health Organization (WHO) have also discussed complementary initiatives such as supply chain optimization, fortified rice rollout, smart warehousing, and innovative delivery systems, including Annapurti grain ATMs and Jan Poshan Kendras.

This partnership reflects India’s determination to translate its surplus food production into life-saving assistance for the world’s most vulnerable populations, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in the global fight against hunger.

Tags: rice, India, hunger, food security, World Food Programme