New Delhi: Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that India has become a food surplus nation with a strong agricultural sector, ready to share its expertise to address global hunger and malnutrition amidst the challenges posed by climate change, IANS reported.
At the inauguration of the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE), attended by delegates from 75 countries, Modi highlighted that India has developed 1,900 new climate-resilient seed varieties, including rice that requires 25% less water.
Additionally, India has created a variety of “superfoods” like black rice and millet, which the country is eager to share with the world, particularly benefiting the Global South.
Modi explained that black rice grown in northeastern states like Manipur and Assam has medicinal properties and can provide significant economic benefits to farmers. He also noted that India is the largest producer of millet, a superfood grown with minimal water and high yields, which could help combat global malnutrition. The significance of millet was underscored by the UN’s designation of 2023 as the Year of the Millet.
Modi reiterated India’s commitment to the principle of ‘One Earth-One Family’ highlighted at the G20 conference, aiming to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. He emphasised India’s vast expertise in agriculture, with farming practices adapted to six seasons and 50 agro-climatic zones, showcasing diverse agricultural operations across plains, deserts, semi-arid regions, coastal areas, and hills.
This extensive experience, Modi said, can transform agriculture, especially in the Global South, as climate change continues to threaten global food security. He also emphasised the importance of India’s sustainable farming practices amid the global increase in chemical fertiliser usage, which aims to ensure the health of humans, animals, and plants.
