India has launched a project to strengthen rice fortification and supply chain management in Nepal, with support from the UN World Food Programme, as part of the India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative.

According to a statement by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the project aims to address critical gaps in Nepal’s fortified rice supply chain—particularly in procurement processes, data collection, and workforce skills—by facilitating knowledge exchange with India’s successful Public Distribution System (PDS).

The initiative will also promote the use of digital technologies for effective food supply chain management.

The embassy said the project's key focus areas include beneficiary management, storage and distribution models, monitoring and evaluation systems, and grievance redressal mechanisms.

The initiative was launched on August 1 by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi and forms part of the broader India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative, which was first announced in September 2023 during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The project in Nepal will be carried out over three phases within 12 months. The first phase will involve needs assessment and stakeholder engagement. The second phase will include a study visit to India for Nepali officials, offering hands-on demonstrations and expert briefings. The final phase will focus on formulating an action plan.

Training under this project will be conducted through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme. According to the embassy, over 3,000 Nepali officials have received training in India under the ITEC framework since 2001.

The rice fortification project is one of four initiatives identified under the India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative, which seeks to foster South-South cooperation and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The embassy said it reflects the growing development partnership between India and Nepal andhighlights both countries’ shared commitment to building resilient food systems through innovation and collaboration.