Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the multitude of challenges faced by the agricultural sector worldwide and called upon the G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting to engage in discussions on collaborative measures to ensure global food security.
In a video message, PM Modi addressed the ongoing three-day meeting in Hyderabad where he highlighted that the frequency of extreme weather events is increasing due to climate change, with the global South being particularly affected by these challenges.
“Globally, agriculture provides livelihood for over 2.5 billion people. In the global South, agriculture accounts for almost 30 per cent of the GDP and over 60 per cent of jobs and today this sector faces several challenges. The supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic has been worsened by the impact of geopolitical tensions,” the Prime Minister said.
“Climate change is causing extreme weather events, more and more frequently. These challenges are felt most by the global South,” Modi added.
He said India’s policy is the fusion of “back to basics and march to future” even as the country is promoting natural farming as well as technology-enabled agriculture.
Modi said farmers all over the country are taking up natural farming by not using synthetic fertilisers or pesticides with a focus on rejuvenating mother Earth.
As reported by ANI, the government of India has initiated a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to declare the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets. This proposal garnered support from 72 countries.
Millets, commonly referred to as Nutri-cereals, encompass a group of small-seeded grasses that include sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), finger millet (ragi), little millet (kutki), foxtail millet (kakun), proso millet (cheena), barnyard millet (sawa), and kodo millet (kodon).
More than 200 delegates, including Agriculture Ministers from G20 member countries, invited countries, and representatives from International Organizations, are currently attending the three-day Agriculture Working Group (AWG) Ministerial Meeting of the G20 in Hyderabad.
The event aims to facilitate discussions on agriculture priority sectors. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar, had earlier stated in a press conference that key areas of focus would be addressed during the meeting, aligning with the themes of this year’s Agriculture Working Group.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Updated: 16 Jun 2023, 12:17 PM IST
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