A Legacy of Collaboration
Eight Decades of India–FAO Partnership Strengthening Global Food Security: India and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) marked 80 years of partnership on World Food Day 2025, celebrating their long-standing cooperation in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. The event, held in New Delhi, symbolized India’s journey from a food-deficient nation to a global agricultural contributor.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, emphasized the technical and policy depth of this collaboration that enabled India to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.
Static GK fact: FAO was established in 1945, with its headquarters in Rome, Italy.
From Shortage to Surplus
In the decades following independence, India faced severe food shortages and relied on imports and aid. The partnership with FAO provided technical expertise that helped shape India’s agricultural framework.
Major policy breakthroughs like the Green Revolution, Public Distribution System (PDS), and Minimum Support Price (MSP) policies led to massive growth in food production.
The National Food Security Act (NFSA), which currently benefits over 800 million people, reflects India’s rights-based approach to ensuring food access and affordability.
Static GK fact: The NFSA was enacted in 2013, guaranteeing subsidized grains to around two-thirds of India’s population.
Nutrition and Climate Resilience
The focus of the partnership now extends beyond food quantity to nutrition quality and climate resilience. India is prioritizing nutrition-sensitive food systems that provide diverse, safe, and affordable diets.
Key sustainable initiatives include:
- Micro-irrigation and water-efficient practices
- Promotion of natural and organic farming
- Crop diversification to reduce overdependence on cereals
- Development of stress-tolerant crop varieties
India’s AgriStack, a digital infrastructure platform, integrates data and services for 146 million small and marginal farmers, boosting their income and decision-making capacity.
Static GK fact: The agriculture sector employs around 45% of India’s workforce, contributing about 18% to the national GDP.
Honoring FAO’s Contribution
The celebration also featured the release of FAO’s commemorative publication, “Sowing Hope, Harvesting Success,” documenting its contributions to India’s agricultural evolution.
Key dignitaries such as Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, and Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India, applauded the collaboration. They reiterated FAO’s commitment to India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, aiming for inclusive and resilient agricultural growth.
Static GK Tip: World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16, marking the founding of FAO in 1945.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Eight Decades of India–FAO Partnership Strengthening Global Food Security:
| Topic | Detail |
| Event | 80 Years of India–FAO Partnership celebrated on World Food Day 2025 |
| Venue | New Delhi, India |
| Key Officials | Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Shombi Sharp, Takayuki Hagiwara |
| FAO Headquarters | Rome, Italy |
| Year FAO Founded | 1945 |
| India’s Food Law | National Food Security Act, 2013 |
| Beneficiaries under NFSA | Over 800 million people |
| Digital Agriculture Platform | AgriStack |
| Number of Small Farmers in India | 146 million |
| Annual Food Day | October 16 |
