Tripartite technical collaboration between GoAP, FAO, and ICAR to support farmers of AP to transition to sustainable agri-food systems
On December 14, 2021, the project titled “Strengthening capacities of the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) to support farmers to adopt sustainable agri-food systems” was launched. Shri Jagan Mohan Reddy Honourable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, presided over this function that also included the signing of a tripartite agreement for technical collaboration between the GoAP, FAO, and Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR). This collaboration aims to support farmers of Andhra Pradesh to transition to sustainable agri-food systems.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) has launched Farmer Facilitation Centres (FFCs)[1] in all Gram Panchayats in the state. These centres are intended as end-to-end platforms for delivery of critical agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fishery and sericulture services that include supply of quality inputs; technology; knowledge and information (market intelligence, weather forecasts, pest surveillance, land records, etc.) The Government aims to support farmers’ to transition from current agricultural practices to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and eventually towards sustainable agri-food systems[2]. This will eventually ensure better returns to farmers and address issues of sustainability and safety of food systems.
In October 2021, the GoAP formally requested FAO for technical assistance in their ongoing efforts to transition to sustainable agri-food systems.
Through this project, FAO will provide technical support to the GoAP to strengthen its capacity to support farmers in adopting sustainable agri-food systems. ICAR will act as the technology-cum-training partner to GoAP to strengthen capacities of farmers in adopting sustainable agri-food systems.
This collaboration demonstrates the importance of engaging both national and state entities to ensure adequate technical support to the States. Aside from drawing upon FAO’s global experience, the GoAP will also draws upon ICAR’s vast technical resources and will create a platform for dissemination of the project/ State’s learning.
News coverage:
[1] Farmer Facilitation Centre is regarded as Dr YSR Rythu Bharosa Kendralu by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
[2] A sustainable food system is one that delivers food security and nutrition for all in such a way that the economic, social and environmental bases to generate food security and nutrition for future generation is not compromised. This means that it is profitable throughout, ensuring economic sustainability, it has broad-based benefits for society, securing social sustainability, and that it has a positive or neutral impact on the natural resource environment, safeguarding the sustainability of the environment. (link)