The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) have formalized a strategic collaboration through the signing of a Statement of Intent (SoI), outlining a comprehensive agenda aimed at bolstering policy and program frameworks that contribute to India’s developmental objectives.
The five-year SoI provides IFPRI with a broad mandate to support NITI’s Agriculture Vertical in pivotal areas. Key initiatives under the SoI include the development and monitoring of Rural Transformation Indicators, assistance in the design and evaluation of flagship programs, provision of policy analytical tools, and the generation of evidence on India’s agri-food trade within regional and global contexts.
NITI Aayog, known for actively guiding India’s development programs, particularly in agriculture, emphasizes the importance of sustainable and inclusive agricultural and rural transformation. Through periodic monitoring and evaluation, NITI Aayog has played a crucial role in shaping India’s developmental trajectory with a specific focus on agriculture.
IFPRI, under the SoI, will contribute policy analytics and support to NITI in mutually identified areas within the broader context of food systems transformation. The initial focus will be on agriculture, rural development, trade, and climate change policies in India. Dr. Johan Swinnen, IFPRI Director General and Managing Director, Systems Transformation, CGIAR, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “Through this SoI, we plan to engage on a wider range of issues related to ‘Systems Transformation,’ building a multi-disciplinary approach towards ensuring a sustainable food system for the country.”
The Chief Guest at the signing ceremony, Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, emphasized the central role of agriculture in India’s development trajectory. He highlighted the importance of increasing agricultural productivity and transitioning towards natural and soil-friendly practices to support strong rural demand, manufacturing, and economic revival.
Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, remarked, ‘I feel this SoI will lead to collaborative work between NITI Aayog and IFPRI that can generate new insights into the role of agriculture in shaping economic development in India and other emerging economies.’
The SoI is expected to serve as a platform for knowledge and experience sharing between IFPRI and CGIAR’s global partnerships, including various think tanks, research institutes, and centers of excellence. By addressing challenges in agriculture, climate change, and trade, both organizations aim to foster meaningful cooperation for India’s sustainable development over the next 25 years.
