Prime Minister Modi Urges Collaborative Action at G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting for Global Food Security
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizes the challenges faced by the agricultural sector worldwide and calls for collaborative measures to ensure global food security at the G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting. Find out more about his address and India's initiatives towards sustainable farming and technology-enabled agriculture.
Team IFT
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the pressing challenges faced by the agricultural sector globally and has urged the G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting to engage in collaborative discussions to ensure global food security. Speaking through a video message at the ongoing three-day meeting in Hyderabad, PM Modi emphasized the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change, with a particular impact on the global South.
Acknowledging the significant role of agriculture in providing livelihoods for over 2.5 billion people worldwide, PM Modi emphasized that the agriculture sector in the global South contributes nearly 30% to the GDP and employs over 60% of the workforce. However, this sector is currently grappling with multiple challenges exacerbated by the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions.
LIVE. PM @narendramodi's remarks at the G20 Agriculture Ministers' Meeting. https://t.co/FFNla6xs6d
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 16, 2023
In his address, Prime Minister Modi outlined India's approach, which combines the principles of "back to basics" and "march to the future." The country is promoting natural farming practices that prioritize the rejuvenation of mother Earth and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Additionally, India is embracing technology-enabled agriculture to enhance productivity and sustainability.
Highlighting India's commitment to sustainable farming, the government has initiated a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to declare the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets. This proposal has garnered support from 72 countries. Millets, also known as Nutri-cereals, encompass a group of small-seeded grasses such as sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, and more, which hold significant nutritional value.
The G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting in Hyderabad has brought together over 200 delegates, including Agriculture Ministers from G20 member countries, invited nations, and representatives from international organizations. The three-day Agriculture Working Group (AWG) Ministerial Meeting aims to facilitate discussions on priority sectors within agriculture.
As the meeting progresses, key areas of focus will be addressed to align with this year's Agriculture Working Group themes. Prime Minister Modi's call for collaborative action and India's initiatives towards sustainable farming practices and technology-enabled agriculture underline the importance of collective efforts to ensure global food security.
