What is meant by ‘Food for Work’ programme?

Answer:

The National Food for Work Programme was launched in November, 2004 in 150 most backward districts of the country, identified by the planning commission in consultation with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State Governments. The objective of the programme was to provide additional resources apart from the resources available under the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana to 150 most backward districts of the country, so that generation of supplementary wage employment and providing of food security through creation of need based economic, social and community assets in these districts are further intensified. 

The scheme was 100%. centrally sponsored and was open to all rural poor who were in need of wage employment and wanted to do manual and unskilled work. The focus of the programme was on work relating to water conservation, drought proofing and land development. Flood control/ protection rural connectivity in terms of all-weather roads and any other similar activity for economic sustainability could be included.
Food grains were given as part of wages under the NFFWP to the rural poor at the rate of 5 kg per man per day and the remaining portion may be given in cash. More than 5 kg food grains can be given to the labourers under this programme in exceptional cases subject to a minimum of 25 % of wages to be paid in cash. The programme has now been subsumed in National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, which has come in force in 200 identified districts of the country including 150 NFFWF districts.