State Food Convention- Odisha.

[Bidyut Mohanty]

State Food Convention- Odisha.

Lohiya Academy Bhubaneswar on the 21st and 22nd of November, 2024.

Dear friends,

,

Greetings!

As you know, it has been a long time since we last gathered for a state food convention, which took place in 2018. In the years since, many developments have impacted the food rights landscape in our state. There has been a range of issues that have come up during the period which needs special attention.

Among the issues we must address are the disruptions in the Public Distribution System (PDS) caused by the mandatory Aadhaar requirement and eKYC. We are also seeing increasing concerns regarding the poor quality of meals provided through the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme and at Anganwadi centres, which has a direct impact on children and vulnerable populations. Confusion persists around the payment of the Mamata scheme amounts, pension payments, and the lagging implementation of MGNREGA. Also larger issues on uncultivated forest food and access to forest and natural resources and the impending effect of climate crisis on our food system remains. These issues have left many in uncertainty and distress.  

Therefore, we are pleased to announce that a *State Food Convention* will be held in Lohiya Academy Bhubaneswar on the 21st and 22nd of November, 2024. This convention will bring together activists, academics, and civil society organizations from within and outside the state to deliberate on these challenges and strategize on the way forward for food rights in Odisha.  

Your participation is essential in shaping our collective action. Let us use this opportunity to share our insights, experiences, and solutions to ensure food security and uphold the rights of those most affected by these challenges.

We look forward to your presence and contributions at the convention.

Warm regards,

On behalf of organising committee 

Odisha Khadya Adhikar Abhijan
 
Arun Dehuri, Bidyut Mohanty, Manas Ranjan, Manas Patnaik, Ravi Behera, Sameet Panda, Sandeep Patnaik, Sujata Jena

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Bidyut Mohanty,

Koraput. Odisha.

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