Hyderabad, June 16, India: In a video message to the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the crucial role of agriculture in human civilization and the responsibility of Agriculture Ministers in securing the future of humanity. The Prime Minister highlighted that agriculture provides livelihoods for over 2.5 billion people globally and contributes to nearly 30 percent of GDP and over 60 percent of jobs in the Global South. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the Global South, including the impact of the pandemic, worsening geopolitical tensions, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change.
Discussing India’s approach to agriculture, Prime Minister Modi outlined the country’s policy of combining ‘back to basics’ and ‘march to future’ principles. He mentioned that India promotes both natural farming and technology-enabled farming. Farmers across India are increasingly adopting natural farming practices, focusing on rejuvenating the soil, ensuring soil health, water conservation, and promoting organic fertilizers and pest management solutions. Simultaneously, Indian farmers are actively embracing technology to enhance productivity. The Prime Minister cited examples such as generating solar power, using Soil Health Cards for optimal crop selection, and employing drones for nutrient spraying and crop monitoring.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted that 2023 is celebrated as the International Year of Millets and pointed out the significance of millets, known as Shri Anna. He emphasized that millets not only offer health benefits but also contribute to increasing farmers’ incomes due to their lower water and fertilizer requirements. The Prime Minister announced the establishment of the Institute of Millets Research as a Centre of Excellence, promoting best practices, research, and technologies related to millets.
Calling for collective action to achieve global food security, Prime Minister Modi urged the Agriculture Ministers to develop sustainable and inclusive food systems with a focus on marginalized farmers and strengthening global fertilizer supply chains. He stressed the importance of adopting agricultural practices that improve soil health, crop yield, and regenerative agriculture. The Prime Minister emphasized empowering farmers through innovation and digital technology, especially small and marginal farmers in the Global South. Additionally, he emphasized the urgency of reducing agricultural and food waste while exploring ways to generate wealth from waste.
Concluding his address, Prime Minister Modi stated that India’s G20 priorities in agriculture revolve around healing the planet, fostering harmony within the global community, and providing hope for a bright future. He expressed satisfaction that work is underway on two significant initiatives: the ‘Deccan High-level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition’ and the ‘MAHARISHI’ initiative for millets and other grains. The Prime Minister viewed support for these initiatives as a testament to the commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agriculture.
