'More commitment needed to implement social protection plans'

On eve of the World Food Day, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today sought more commitment from all stakeholders to implement social protection measures for eradicating hunger and poverty in the country.
The theme of the World Food Day for this year is "social protection and breaking the cycle of rural poverty".
"On this occasion, I urge more vigour and commitment from all stakeholders to ensure implementation and effectiveness of social protection measures and scientific farming to eradicate hunger and poverty in the whole country especially rural areas", said Singh in his message for the World Food Day.
Noting that social protection plays an important role in eradicating poverty, the Minister said: "Social Protection Programmes have expanded rapidly in developing countries including India. Lt is an irony that despite full blown movement protection, only 36 per cent of the World's population receives some kind of social protection.

It is true that those not reaping the benefits of social protection are living in rural areas. "It has been recognised that social protection measures are indeed required for emancipation living in poverty and also for those which may fall into trap in the eventuality of a natural or manmade crisis", the minister added.
He also called upon stakeholders to ensure "optimum usage of scarce and limited resources at our disposal for complete eradication of hunger and poverty in our country especially in rural areas".
The minister also highlighted several measures taken to boost domestic agricultural production and protect vulnerable people from food insecurity.