Cabinet Approves MoU to improve effectiveness of rural development programmes

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to improve the effectiveness of rural development programmes and to facilitate knowledge sharing.

MoRD and FAO will sign an Inter-Governmental MoU on Joint Technical and South-South Cooperation to provide a framework for collaboration.

The MoU will facilitate South-South cooperation mechanisms around Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)'s experience through exchange visits and dialogues, and establishment of a good-practice Learning Centre.

It will strengthen the vertical upscaling of the livelihoods of rural populations that are supported by DAY-NRLM, help to develop inclusive and sustainable value chains for key crops and agro-industrial products, employment diversification, skills development, especially for rural youth, strengthening of social protection, risk management mechanisms and enhanced resilience building, especially in arid and disaster risk-prone districts.

The MoU will provide for collaboration on activities of common interest to support an integrated approach to rural poverty reduction through activities aimed to promote the economic empowerment of rural women, access of rural poor to natural resources and their sustainable use and social protection. The MoU will also provide for exchange of visits and dialogue for knowledge and experience sharing.

The MoU will provide a framework for continuing collaboration between MoRD and FAO on activities of common interest to support an integrated approach to rural poverty reduction through activities aimed to promote the economic empowerment of rural women, access of rural poor to natural resources and their sustainable use and social protection.

The MoU will also provide for exchange of visits and dialogue for knowledge and experience sharing.