G-20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting

17-Jun-2023: The G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (AMM) was held from 15th-17th June in Hyderabad

After declaring ICAR - Indian Institute of Millets Research (ICAR-IIMR) as the ‘Global Centre of Excellence on Millets (Shree Anna)’ at the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi reiterated the role of the premier institute in the promotion and adoption of millets, in his video message at the G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting in Hyderabad.

In order to provide the Agriculture Ministers and delegates from various G20 countries a first-hand experience of ICAR-IIMR, especially during the ongoing International Year of Millets, a technical excursion to ICAR-IIMR was also arranged. The excursion was planned as part of the G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (AMM) which was held from 15th-17th June in Hyderabad.

The excursion and exhibition witnessed an enormous participation of more than 300 people including Hon’ble Agricultural Ministers, various delegates from G20 countries, international organizations and several other dignitaries from India.

After a traditional welcome of the Agricultural Ministers, the delegates were taken to the farms at IIMR campus where the standing crops of eight different millets were showcased. On this occasion, the Agriculture Ministers of G20 planted Millets as a symbolic gesture towards their collective commitment for promoting Millets.

The Agriculture Ministers also visited the various Millet processing units established at the IIMR campus which included the Primary Processing Unit, the Bakery unit, the Packaging Unit, followed by the Flaking Unit, Cold Extrusion Lines, Continuous biscuits line etc. These processing machineries are equipped to make various Millet value added products such Millet muffins, cookies and noodles.

The Ministers and other delegates also visited the Nutrihub. Nutrihub is the Government of India supported Technology Business Incubator hosted by the Indian Institute of Millet Research, ICAR – IIMR, Hyderabad. The Incubation Program at Nutrihub-IIMR is designed to help Millet start-ups grow in a streamlined fashion by providing them the required technology and support.

Further, at the Centre of Excellence, the delegates tasted various signature delicacies of their respective countries made with Millets. The Centre of Excellence at IIMR supports in knowledge transfer, technology dissemination and product development around millets.

One of the major highlights of the excursion was the Exhibition on Millets. The exhibition, featured 30 unique stalls, by selected FPOs, Millet exporters and Millet-based start-ups from across the country.

India’s efforts to mainstream millets have found a resounding support from various millet-producing countries, and IIMR’s technology-driven approach to popularise Millets and efforts to promote Millet processing units, exporters and start-ups is a step ahead in the direction of India’s ‘leading role’ in the celebrations of the International Year of Millets.

17-Jun-2023: The G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (AMM) was held from 15th-17th June in Hyderabad

2021

19-Sep-2021: Union Minister Shri Tomar presents the progress of Indian Agriculture in the meeting of G-20 Agriculture Ministers

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said that the Government of India has emphasized on re-introducing traditional food items including millet, other nutritious cereals, fruits and vegetables, fish, dairy and organic products in the diet of the people. Their production has been phenomenal in India in recent years and India is becoming a destination country for healthy food items. Shri Tomar said this during the second day's session of the G-20 Agriculture Ministers' meeting. The theme of this session was "Working together to achieve the Zero Hunger goal: successful projects implemented by the Ministries of Agriculture".

In his virtual address at the meeting, Shri Tomar said that keeping in mind the importance of Nutri-cereals, the United Nations has accepted the proposal of the Government of India and declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets. He appealed to the nations to support the celebration of Millet Year to promote nutrition and sustainable agriculture. Shri Tomar stated that the agriculture sector in India has achieved great success after independence. The Indian agriculture sector remained unaffected even during the COVID pandemic. The Minister expressed happiness that the various initiatives of the Government of India to keep the Agri-market dynamic along with the Agri-input supply chain during COVID have helped the agriculture sector in better performance. During the year 2020-2021, along with increase in the production of food grains, there has been a significant increase in exports.

Shri Tomar said that biofortified-varieties are the source of staple diet rich in micronutrients. They are being promoted to remove malnutrition. 17 such varieties of different crops have been developed and released for cultivation. The Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken steps to increase the optimal use of water resources, create infrastructure for irrigation, conserve soil fertility with balanced use of fertilizers, provide connectivity from farms to markets.

The Union Minister informed that under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, the government is providing income support of Rs.6,000 per year to small farmers. So far, Rs 1.58 lakh crore has been deposited in the bank accounts of more than 11.37 crore farmers under this scheme. He said that India is fully aware of its commitments on the issues of climate change and several steps have been taken to make agriculture sustainable. The 'Per Drop- More Crop' scheme for irrigation and 'Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana' for organic farming is being successfully implemented. Unfavorable weather affects the production and income of the farmers, in such a situation, the Government of India has implemented the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to provide insurance cover for the farmers. To address the malnutrition problem, India is running the world's largest food-based safety net program, which includes the Public Distribution System and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

Shri Tomar said that India will share best practices and build capacities of other developing countries. He reiterated India's resolve to continue working together to achieve the ‘Poverty Reduction’ and ‘Zero Hunger Goal. He also reiterated India's resolve to cooperate in R&D and exchange of best practices to enhance productivity.

Union Minister Shri Tomar led a four-member Indian delegation to the G20 Ministerial meeting. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was organized in hybrid mode. The Indian Delegation included Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Joint Secretary Ms. Alaknanda Dayal and Dr. B. Rajender.

18-Sep-2021: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare virtually attends the meeting of G-20 Agriculture Ministers

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar participated in the G-20 Agriculture Ministerial meeting organized by Italy, the country which holds the Presidency of G20. Addressing the session on the topic "Research as a driving force behind sustainability", Shri Tomar said that agricultural research has played an important role in tackling the problem of food security, improving the income of farmers and agriculturists and sustainable use of natural resources for the subsistence of the people. Research contributes significantly to the three aspects of food security – availability, access and affordability.

Union Minister Shri Tomar stated that agricultural research in India has played a major role in transforming the country from being a food importer to exporter. Integrated research efforts can develop a package of techniques and methodologies for improving soil productivity, water management for storage, expansion and efficiency. Technological progress is the key to solving the challenges facing mankind. Today, with an annual production of 308 million tonnes of food grains, India is not only in the realm of food security but is also catering to needs of other countries. India has experienced a revolution in the field of agricultural produce due to the efficient research of scientists. Oilseeds Technology Mission doubled the production of oilseeds in 10 years. India has made great progress in pulses production in recent times due to the introduction of new varieties in the seed system. The call of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in this regard has had a special effect.

Agriculture Minister explained that by the year 2030-31, India's population is likely to exceed 150 crores, for which the demand for food grains is then estimated to be around 350 million tonnes. Similarly, the demand for edible oils, milk and milk products, meat, eggs, fish, vegetables, fruits and sugar will increase significantly. In comparison, natural resources are limited and there is also the challenge of climate change. The strategy to meet the increased demand revolves around increasing productivity and increasing the income of farmers. Agriculture is contributing to the three biggest challenges of the 21st century – achieving food security, adapting to climate change and mitigating climate change. Important resources like water, energy and land are depleting rapidly. There is a need for sustainability in agriculture along with increasing production and income simultaneously, adapting to climate change by balancing crop, livestock, fisheries and agroforestry systems, increasing resource efficiency, protecting the environment and maintaining ecosystem services.

Shri Tomar said that to make the country self-reliant, concerted efforts in agricultural research on genomics, digital agriculture, climate-smart technologies and methods, efficient water use equipment, development of high yielding and bio-friendly varieties, systematic production, quality and safety standards will continue. There is a need to rethink and adapt agricultural research and development, along with increasing investment in scientific research, to achieve adequate and nutritious food along with environmental sustainability. Working in this direction, we have developed and released 17 varieties of different crops which are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses. Similarly, ICAR is developing bio-fortified varieties to meet the nutritional requirement of the people. National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture has been launched which promotes integrated farming systems approach in agriculture. India will continue its efforts to cooperate in the exchange of best practices, in research and development and programmatic interventions to increase productivity through the promotion of trade and development of agricultural value chains, sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of the people.

Apart from Shri Tomar, the Indian delegation included Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Joint Secretary Ms. Alaknanda Dayal, Dr B Rajender and senior Indian Embassy officials.