India and WFP sign letter of intent on fortified rice supply
Why in the news
The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) signed a Letter of Intent with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in New Delhi in August 2025. Under it, India will supply fortified rice to vulnerable populations around the world.
Key facts
- Quantity: up to 200,000 metric tonnes of fortified rice.
- Duration: over 5 years.
- Parties: DFPD, India, and the WFP.
- Present at signing: Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, DFPD, and WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau, among others.
- Message: it shows India’s shift from a food-scarce nation to a supplier of humanitarian food aid.
Domestic context
| Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|
| NFSA rural coverage | Up to 75% |
| NFSA urban coverage | Up to 50% |
| People on subsidised grain | About 80 crore |
| Children under five who are stunted | 35.5% |
About the partnership
India and the WFP already work together on Grain ATMs, Jan Poshan Kendras, smart warehousing and mobile storage units, and are exploring further cooperation.
Exam angle
- Remember 200,000 tonnes over 5 years.
- The Indian signatory is DFPD; the partner is the WFP.
- NFSA is a 2013 Act with 75% rural and 50% urban coverage.