Cargill collaborates with UNWFP to launch nutrition program in Rajasthan

New Delhi: To address nutritional challenges leading to stunting, underweight and anemia amongst children and women US food major Cargill, in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Delhi based Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), have launched a program to improve nutrition status in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The Department of Women and Child Development, the Government of Rajasthan, has also given support for this program which aims to address nutrition intake in the first 1,000 days of a child's life starting at conception through two years after birth, shaping a child’s early development.

Commenting on the partnership, Simon George, president, Cargill India, said, “The need to address nutritional challenges through food systems remains critical globally. Nutrition has been a key focus for us. Cargill remains committed to contributing towards food and nutritional security by providing consumers and the community with the nutritious food they need to lead healthier lives. This program resonates with Cargill’s purpose to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. We are positive that this partnership will advance replicable and demonstrable models of public and private collaboration to improve nutrition levels amongst vulnerable communities.”


It will improve the nutritional quality of take-home ration served to children, pregnant and lactating mothers through collaboration with anganwadi centers, said a press statement. The program, is in alignment with the government of India's national nutrition strategy and the Prime Minister’s overarching scheme for holistic nutrition or poshan abhiyan, will also deploy social behavior change communications to drive nutritional awareness and nutrition seeking behavior.

Through public-private collaboration, the program will additionally identify gaps in the accessibility and availability of nutritional food, mobilize relevant state-level stakeholders, and implement collaborative models for private sector participation for the sustenance of the intervention beyond the project period.