UN agency World Food Programme (WFP) today signed a 'letter of intent' with India for setting up of a centre of excellence on food in the national capital.
This is the first centre WFP has proposed to establish in Asia. It has already set up one in Brazil.
WFP's Executive Director Ertharin Cousin and Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan signed the letter of intent here today.
The structure, mandate and budget for the centre will be finalised by October-end, a senior Food Ministry official said after the meeting.
The main objective of the centre is that it will collate the best practices followed to ensure efficient procurement, distribution and storage, among others, within India, the official added.
Currently, WFP is working in a few states like Odisha and Kerala to learn whether installation of point-of-sale devices at ration shops has benefited or not as part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Agriculture Ministry.
