Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release a commemorative coin of 75 rupees denomination to mark the 75th Anniversary of Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO on Friday. The journey of FAO in making the vulnerable classes and masses stronger, economically and nutritionally, has been unparalleled. India has had a historic association with FAO. The Prime Minister will also dedicate 17 recently developed biofortified varieties of eight crops to the nation. These varieties, along with other food ingredients, will transform the normal Indian thali into nutri-thali. These varieties have been developed by utilizing the local landraces and farmer’s varieties. The production of bio-fortified crop varieties will be upscaled and linked with government programmes of Mid-Day Meal and Anganwadi to reduce malnutrition and make India Kuposhan Mukta through naturally enriched food ingredients. This will also usher in higher income of farmers and will open new avenues of entrepreneurship development. The event marks the highest priority accorded by the government to agriculture and nutrition and is a testament of the resolve to completely eliminate hunger, undernourishment and malnutrition. It will be witnessed by Anganwadis, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Organic and Horticulture Missions across the country.
