Govt. to rollout multi-sector mechanism to fight food security and nutrition

• Cabinet approves move to establish ‘Food Policy Committee’

The Government has decided to implement a multi-sector mechanism to ensure food security and nutrition covering all community levels in the country. 

The proposal to this effect submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe was approved by the Cabinet Ministers at its meeting on Monday.

The proposed mechanism ensures the guidance as well as the supervision for the entire mechanism of essential food production, distribution and the capacity of obtaining essential food rations for those liable to be discriminated against within the society at various administrative levels.

The strategy will consist of people from the grassroots level to the upper level when taking decisions on ensuring food security as well as nutrition, the statement containing Cabinet Decisions issued by the Government Information Department noted.

The ‘Food Policy Committee’ will be chaired by the Secretary to the President and will be established with the participation of the heads of relevant institutions.

The Committee is tasked to build trust among producers, traders as well as customers by monitoring the supply chains within the country as well as to resolve the short-term issues prevailing with regards to supply, prices and marketing. It will also roll out the mechanism formally and efficiently, whilst recommending other long-term programs for the Government to avert any future situation.