IFPRI and ICAR Launch Global Food Policy Report 2025 for South Asia
Regional dialogue in New Delhi stresses resilience, nutrition, and inclusive food systems amid climate change
Bhubaneswar : The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), unveiled the 2025 Global Food Policy Report (GFPR) for South Asia during a high-level regional dialogue in New Delhi. Titled “Food Policy for a Changing World: Lessons and Priorities for South Asia,” the event brought together senior policymakers, researchers, and development partners to deliberate on how the region can build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems in the face of mounting challenges.
Shaping Food Systems for the Future
Delivering the keynote address, Professor S. Mahendra Dev, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, reminded participants that the food systems agenda must not lose sight of traditional priorities. He stressed that governments and private players must work in tandem to reshape food systems that provide affordable, healthy, and diversified diets to all sections of society.
Nutrition featured as a central theme throughout the dialogue. Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, emphasized that interventions must begin early if South Asia is to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. “If we truly want to break the cycle, we must act before pregnancy,” he remarked, calling for a stronger focus on maternal and child nutrition.
Odisha Showcases Its Transformation
State-level innovations also drew attention at the event, with Odisha presenting its success story. Anu Garg, DC-cum-ACS of the Odisha government, noted the state’s remarkable transformation. “Odisha’s journey from districts once infamous for starvation deaths to becoming the fifth-largest rice producer in India shows what determined institution-building and investment in irrigation can achieve. Today, our focus is on embedding climate resilience into agriculture so that this progress endures,” she said.
Building on this perspective, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of Odisha’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department, outlined the state’s integrated approach. He highlighted the establishment of both a Climate Resilience Cell and a forthcoming Gender Responsive Cell. “Through CRC and GRC we wanted to build into our design the gender and climate lens from the beginning,” he explained, adding that regional cooperation initiatives like Seeds Without Borders are helping accelerate the spread of climate-resilient crop varieties.
Linking Policy, Innovation, and Tradition
The broader environmental dimension was underscored by Dr. Angela Lusigi, India Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She called for inclusive and integrated solutions that combine modern innovations with traditional knowledge to build sustainable food systems.
Dr. Purnima Menon, Senior Director of Food and Nutrition Policy at IFPRI, reinforced IFPRI’s role as a connector of evidence and ideas. “Our role is to bridge research and policy, ensuring that strategies are grounded in both data and community realities,” she observed.
Reflecting on the milestone, Dr. Shahidur Rashid, Director of IFPRI-South Asia, said, “This year’s Global Food Policy Report is special – it not only marks IFPRI’s 50-year journey, but also reflects on the future policy challenges that will shape food and agriculture in the decades ahead.”
The South Asia dialogue highlighted the region’s shared responsibility to act collectively. By prioritizing resilience, equity, and nutrition, experts agreed that South Asia can lead the way in food systems transformation. Anchored in evidence and enriched by experience, the discussions set the stage for collaborative solutions to secure a healthier and more sustainable future.
