The Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) component of the BMZ Global Program specifically aims to encourage community participation to accelerate the achievement of nutrition targets and strengthen the government nutrition and food service delivery system.

A virtual orientation was organized for partner organizations from Assam, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal on 15th and 16th June 2021 to provide an in-depth understanding of the conceptual and operational components under the Food and Nutritional Security (F&NS) segment in the BMZ Global Program. The two days sessions were facilitated by the Caritas India team

BMZ Global Programme India (2021 to 2024) is a community-led cluster program implemented by Caritas India and her 23 partners in 4 priority Indian states with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Caritas Germany. Apart from Nutritional and Food Security, the program focuses on Resilience to natural calamities; Social Inclusion and Civil society learning in Assam, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal.

The two days orientation covered a range of topics which included the terminologies and concepts of FNS; Understanding the 3 Ms (Micro-Village, Meso-District and Macro-National); Log Frame of BMZ Programme; Social Inclusion; Disaster Resilience; Networking & Dialogue; Home and Community based FNS process, models and practices.

“The programme works on Disaster Risk Reduction, Nutrition and Food Security, Social Inclusion & Civil society learning pillar”, shared Dr. Jaison Varghese, Sr. Programme Lead of BMZ Global Program. He gave an overview of different aspects of food and nutrition security.

Mr. Ghanshyam, HoD (Programs) Caritas India, said though there is a 10% reduction in the malnutrition status of our country, but is a lot that needs to be done. He shared the implication of malnutrition in the overall development of human beings and society at large and insisted to work with all the stakeholders at a different level for the benefit of the community.

The training provided an overall conceptual clarity on FNS and the sessions specifically emphasized the process and strategies to be adopted for the implementation of the programme in each of the states. Besides, as a sustainable solution and a promising prototype, the smallholder-led On-Farm Adaptive Research (OFAR) farming model was highlighted for improving food security at the household level.

In addition to this, the sessions included online group activities to brainstorm and identify FNS stakeholders at different administrative levels, scope opportunities to strengthen the nutrition services, identify solutions to ensure improved access by the marginalized communities, and explore coping strategies to plan safe and actionable steps amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over sixty participants including, partner directors, program coordinator,s and community animators attended the workshop.