Hand-in-Hand Initiative

About Hand-in-Hand Initiative: 

• It was launched in 2019, is a flagship of Food And Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
• It prioritizes countries and territories where poverty and hunger are highest, national capacities are limited, or operational difficulties are greatest due to natural or man-made crises.
• It seeks to eradicate poverty (SDG1), end hunger and malnutrition (SDG2), and reduce inequalities (SDG10) by accelerating market-based transformation of agri-food systems to raise incomes, improve nutrition, empower poor and vulnerable populations, and strengthen resilience to climate change.
• Approach: It uses geospatial, biophysical and socio-economic data, as well as advanced analytics to identify territories where agricultural transformation and sustainable management of forest and fisheries have the greatest potential for alleviating poverty and hunger. 
• Its area of intervention includes developing value chains for priority commodities, building agro-industries and efficient water management systems, introducing digital services and precision agriculture
• Member countries: 72 countries have joined this Initiative.

What is FAO?

• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
• It is the oldest permanent specialized agency of the UN, established in October 1945.
• Mandate: To improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living in rural populations, and contribute to global economic growth.
• Members: It currently has 194 Member States plus the European Union (member organization).
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy.

Q1: What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. 

Source: World Food Forum: More countries are participating in the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative’s innovative investment approach