Spouses of G20 Leaders Explore India's Agricultural Excellence at PUSA-IARI Campus

Over the weekend, the 1,200-acre PUSA-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) campus in New Delhi hosted a distinguished group of visitors, which included the spouses of G20 leaders.

This exceptional delegation, which included Yoko Kishida, the wife of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Akshata Murty, spouse of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Ritu Banga, wife of World Bank President Ajay Banga, among others, delved into India's Green Revolution.

The visit, orchestrated by India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar's wife, Kyoko Jaishankar, provided these eminent guests with a unique opportunity to witness the remarkable advancements in Indian agriculture and indulge in a farm-to-fork experience with millets.

Upon their arrival, ladies and spouses were greeted with a magnificent "millets-rangoli" exhibition that showcased curated millets from 18 countries worldwide. The display also highlighted the unique startup ecosystem and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) that are rapidly evolving in India.

One focal point of the exhibition was the innovative solutions presented by Agristartups, addressing fundamental challenges faced at the grassroots level. FPOs from across the nation displayed a wide range of edible products, aligning with the theme of "Empowering Rural Prosperity through Collective."

The exhibition embodied India's agricultural excellence and celebrated its farmers, cutting-edge agri-technology, and even featured appearances by celebrity chefs.

During their hour-long visit, the delegates had the privilege of meeting Lahari Bai, a tribal farmer from Madhya Pradesh, who has made significant contributions to the conservation of millets in her farm field. Her story resonated with the vision of empowering women in agriculture.

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The visit also included glimpses into modern agricultural practices, including vertical farming, hydroponic farming, and various sustainable methods that are driving the transformation of India's agricultural landscape.

Lahari Bai was among 20 women farmers hailing from remote villages across 11 millet-producing states. These remarkable women shared their experiences and insights into millet farming, representing the forefront of a movement aimed at revolutionizing millet cultivation in their respective regions.

IARI Director A K Singh proudly showcased the progress of Indian agriculture through exhibitions, emphasizing the critical role of research in ensuring food and nutrition security. The spouses of G20 leaders took a keen interest in gaining insights into the multifaceted world of Indian agriculture.

Beyond millets, the exhibition also highlighted advances in dairy, fishery, and floriculture, underlining the comprehensive nature of India's agricultural innovation.

The grand finale of the visit was a visit to the "live millet cooking counter" at IARI, where renowned chef Kunal Kapur demonstrated his culinary skills by preparing a range of millet-based dishes. This live cooking session featured an array of delicious millet-based delicacies, presented by various celebrity chefs.

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India's dedication to promoting millets on a global scale is reflected in its recent adoption of a resolution to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM), a movement that garnered support from 72 members of the United Nations General Assembly.

The visit of the G20 leaders' spouses to the PUSA-IARI campus not only celebrated India's agricultural achievements but also reinforced the country's commitment to sustainable and inclusive agricultural practices.

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