Minister V K Singh Asks G20 Nations To Encourage Crop Diversification, Use Of Modern Digital Tools In Agriculture

On Monday, Union Minister V K Singh urged G20 countries to prioritize the promotion of crop diversification, efficient use of inputs such as fertilizers, and effective post-harvest management in the agricultural sector. He also emphasized the importance of utilizing the latest digital tools to improve agriculture worldwide.

The Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Road Transport, and Highways, inaugurated the G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) and made these statements, as per an official statement.

"Singh urged the G-20 countries to look into diverse areas of sustainable practices that promote diversification of crop production systems, efficient utilization of water resources and fertilizers, assimilation of horticulture practices, soil, health management, and post-harvest management of crops, among others," it added.

During India's G20 Presidency, the upcoming MACS meeting will be the 100th of its kind.

The theme of India's G20 Presidency, "One Earth, One Family, One Future", highlights the importance of collective efforts to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). The MACS theme, "sustainable agriculture and food systems for healthy people and plants", aligns with the overarching theme of India's G20 Presidency.

According to the minister, bio-fortified crop varieties offer a swift solution to improve health and address the nutritional needs of women and children. This underscores the significance of the MACS theme in promoting sustainable agriculture practices to ensure healthy food systems.

During a meeting, Indian Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh, announced that more than 5 million hectares of land in India are now dedicated to cultivating bio-fortified crop varieties.

Singh also emphasized the importance of utilizing digital technologies to enhance agricultural practices around the world, particularly within the G20 countries.

He further mentioned that India's proposal to declare 2023 as the International Year of the Millets has been accepted by the UN General Assembly. Singh hopes that this will promote the benefits of millets globally and has encouraged other G20 countries to support this initiative.

The meeting was attended by Himanshu Pathak, the Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR) and MACS Chair, who also presided over the proceedings, and Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) and Secretary (ICAR), who welcomed the guests and delegates.

He announced that India has proposed a G20 initiative called MAHARISHI, which focuses on millets and other ancient grains international research initiative, in light of the International Year of Millets 2023. The MACS are expected to adopt this initiative.

The three-day meeting has approximately 80 delegates from G20 member states, including Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the USA, and European Union.

Several representatives from guest countries such as Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, UAE, Vietnam, and various international organizations, including United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organization, and World Trade Organization, have also been invited to attend the event.

Additionally, India has extended special invitations to the International Solar Alliance, CDR, and Asian Development Bank.

-PTI

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