Seeds Of Change: G20’s Collective Action For A Resilient And Efficient Agricultural Sector

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India proudly hosted a three day event on Agriculture Working Group (AWG) ministerial meeting of G20, a dynamic gathering of agriculture experts, ministers and organizations to address the key challenges and promote sustainable practices in farming. The event commenced from 15th to 17th June 2023 in Hyderabad. As they embarked on this crucial meeting, they delved into the priority areas and sessions that shaped the future of agriculture and fostered collaboration. 

Overview 

Under the esteemed leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India proudly assumed the responsibility of chairing the G-20, with agriculture being a key focus area. The G-20 agriculture ministers’ meetings served as a platform that encouraged collaboration and collective action toward ensuring food security, promote sustainable agriculture, strengthen infrastructure for farmers, and harness digital technologies. 

The AWG meeting covered four priorities sectors;

1. Food security and Nutrition
2. Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Resilience
3. Strengthening infrastructure for small & marginal farmers, and youth 
4. Leveraging digitalization for agricultural transformation

Key points on AWG ministerial meeting of G20

1. G20 agriculture ministers’ meeting began in Hyderabad, for food security, sustainable agriculture, infrastructure and digital transformation. 
2. Exhibition showcased achievements in agriculture, including waste management, agri innovations and precision agriculture. 
3. Priority areas of the meeting included food security, agro diversification, climate resilient agriculture, infrastructure for small farmers and digitalization. 
4. Panel discussions explored managing agribusiness for profit, people and the planet, emphasizing sustainable supply chain systems. 
5. The side event also highlighted the power of digital technology in agriculture and strategies to bridge the digital divide. 
6. India’s leadership in G20 demonstrated its commitment to global agricultural development and knowledge sharing. 
7. India’s initiatives like the International Year of Millets and crop diversification awareness programs contributed  to sustainable farming practices that aligned with G20 meetings. 
8. Successful policies and programs implemented in India strengthened food systems and prioritized farmer welfare. 
9. The G20 agricultural ministers meeting aimed to shape policies and programs for a resilient and prosperous future in agriculture.

Importance of the G20 and India’s Role

India’s participation and leadership in G20 demonstrated its commitment to global agriculture development. With a strong agriculture sector, India shared its knowledge and experiences for the benefit of the Global agriculture community. The country’s proactive initiatives, such as the international year of millets, crop diversification awareness program, the promotion of organic and natural farming, and climate-suitable varieties by ICAR highlighted its dedication to sustainable agriculture and farmers’ welfare. India’s successful policies, pioneering programs, and sustainable solutions strengthened food systems and played a vital role in transforming the agriculture landscape.

Noteworthy events

The first day of the G-20 agriculture ministerial meeting commenced with an exhibition showcasing achievements in agriculture and allied sectors in the presence of Honorable Minister of State, MoA&FW, Shri Kailash Choudhary. Participants from various organizations, ICAR Institute, private companies and startups, presented their recent advancements in waste management, precision agriculture, innovations and value chain management.  

Two side events were held. The first focused on managing agri-businesses for profit, people and the planet with panel discussions highlighting trade and sustainability in supply chain systems. The second event explored the power of digital technologies in agriculture, discussed strategies to bridge the digital divide and scale up digital initiatives.  

Conclusion

As the G20 Agriculture Working Group (AWG) ministerial meeting unfolded, Ministers, experts and organizations were united in their commitment to build a sustainable and prosperous future for the farmers. Through collaboration, sharing of knowledge and adoption of digital solutions, the meeting aimed at shaping the policies and programs that would benefit farmers worldwide. By embracing the spirit of “One Earth, one family and one future”, collective actions of nations would pave the way for a resilient and thriving agriculture sector.