The challenges facing sustainable agriculture and food systems can only be addressed through the holistic approach of One Earth, One Family, and One Future
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India has become a food surplus country while also working to provide solutions for global food and nutritional security.
Agriculture, according to the Prime Minister, is at the heart of India's economic policies, and the Union Budget 2024-25 places a strong emphasis on sustainable and climate-resilient farming, as well as the development of a comprehensive ecosystem to support Indian farmers.
He was addressing the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE), which is being held in India after 65 years.
Modi recalled the previous International Conference of Agricultural Economists, stating that India was a newly independent country at the time, and that agriculture and food security were challenging.
"Now, India is a food surplus country," he said, noting that it is the world's largest producer of milk, pulses, and spices.
In addition, the country is now the second-largest producer of food grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton, sugar, and tea.
"India's food security was once a global concern. "India is now working to provide solutions for global food security and global nutritional security," he said at the conference, which was attended by approximately 1,000 delegates from 70 countries.
As a result, Modi stated that India's experience is valuable in discussions about food system transformation and will benefit the global south.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed India's commitment to global welfare as a "Vishwa Bandhu." He emphasised several mantras proposed by India on various fora, including 'One Earth, One Family, and One Future', 'Mission LiFE', and 'One Earth, One Health'.
He emphasised India's approach of not viewing the health of humans, plants, and animals in isolation.
"The challenges facing sustainable agriculture and food systems can only be addressed through the holistic approach of One Earth, One Family, and One Future," he stated.
Modi emphasised the importance of agriculture in the Indian economy, as well as his government's efforts over the last decade to promote sustainable farm sector growth.
"Agriculture is at the heart of India's economic policies," he explained.
In Indian agriculture, 90 percent of farmers own very little land, and Modi believes that these small farmers are India's greatest strength in terms of food security.
He noted that a similar situation exists in several developing Asian countries, making India's model applicable.
The Prime Minister also stated that India has introduced 1,900 new climate-resilient crop varieties in the last decade.
India is promoting chemical-free natural farming, he said.
He also stated that the country is working towards achieving the 20 percent ethanol blending target in petrol.
The conference will highlight India's proactive approach to global agricultural challenges, as well as its advances in agricultural research and policy.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the gravity of the nutrition crisis, as well as the threat of water scarcity and global warming. He presented Shri Anna, Millet, as a solution due to the superfood's low water content and high production.
Modi expressed India's willingness to share its millet basket with the world.
In his speech, he also discussed how India is using digital technology in the agriculture sector.
He also mentioned the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, in which money is transferred to the bank accounts of 10 crore farmers with a single click, as well as a digital public infrastructure for digital crop surveys, which provides farmers with real-time information and allows them to make informed decisions.
He emphasised that the initiative will benefit crores of farmers and improve their economic situation.
Modi also mentioned a massive land digitisation campaign in which farmers will be given a digital identification number for their land, as well as the promotion of drones in agriculture, with 'drone didis' trained to operate them.
He added that these steps will benefit not only Indian farmers, but also global food security.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, Conference President Matin Qaim, and Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of DARE and Director General of ICA, were also in attendance.
The conference will provide an opportunity for young researchers and leading professionals to present their work and network with their international peers.
It seeks to strengthen collaborations between research institutes and universities, influence policymaking at both the national and global levels, and highlight India's agricultural progress, including advances in digital agriculture and sustainable agri-food systems.
The International Association of Agricultural Economists' triennial conference runs from August 2 to 7.
The theme of this year's conference is "Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems."