Shillong, Nov 20: Meghalaya’s Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs in collaboration with the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) organised a state-level workshop to chart out a five-year vision plan for the targeted public distribution system (TPDS) in Meghalaya.
The workshop was chaired by the concerned minister, Methodius Dkhar, in the presence of Elisabeth Faure, the WFP’s Representative and Country Director for India.
The TPDS is an instrument in Meghalaya’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger. This vision seeks to strengthen the state’s food security programmes, which provide entitlements to over 21 lakh people, which is roughly 80 percent of the population.
“Ensuring food security for every resident of Meghalaya, especially those in our most remote and vulnerable communities, remains our top priority,” Dkhar said. “This workshop marked a vital step in collaborating with partners like WFP to develop a forward-looking, inclusive plan for TPDS. By adopting digital reforms and evidence-based strategies, we committed to building an efficient and accountable distribution system that left no one behind.”
“The government of Meghalaya’s vision for a modern, equitable public distribution system set a benchmark for the region,” Faure said. “WFP was proud to support this transformative journey. Through a participatory and data-driven approach, we hope to support Meghalaya and demonstrate how supply chains and safety nets could work better for every household, ensuring food and nutritional security for all.”
The workshop linked TPDS with sectors such as nutrition, agriculture, livelihoods and rural development, a government press release stated. A detailed roadmap was developed, outlining clear timelines, roles, responsibilities and monitoring measures to ensure effective implementation. Additionally, lessons from field experiences were discussed, performance gaps analysed and actionable ideas generated to promote systemic transformation.
