India has launched a new project in Nepal to strengthen rice fortification and supply chain management, in collaboration with the UN World Food Program. The initiative falls under the India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative, officially launched on 1 August 2025 by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

According to press release issued by an Indian Embassy, the project aims to address key gaps in Nepal’s fortified rice supply chain—particularly in procurement, data systems, and workforce capacity—by sharing best practices from India’s Public Distribution System. Areas of focus include beneficiary management, storage and distribution, monitoring systems, and grievance redress mechanisms.

The 12-month project will roll out in three phases: assessment and stakeholder engagement, a study visit to India, and formulation of a national action plan. Training will be delivered through India’s ITEC Program, which has previously trained over 3,000 Nepali officials, the statement says.

This initiative is one of four pilot projects identified under the India-UN partnership to promote South-South cooperation and support the Sustainable Development Goals. It highlights the strong development ties between India and Nepal, and their joint commitment to building resilient food systems, the statement reads.