G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was held in Hyderabad from 15^thto 17^th June 2023. Aligned with India’s G20 Presidency theme "One Earth, One Family, One Future", under leadership of India, the following issues were discussed during the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting:-

(i)  Food security and nutrition,

(ii) Sustainable agriculture with climate smart approach,

(iii) Inclusive agri-value chains and food systems and

(iv) Digitalization for agricultural transformation

The Chair Summary and Outcome Document of the Ministerial Meeting outlines in detail the consensus that was reached for strengthening cooperation among the G20 nations in the above mentioned areas.

The two key outcomes of the meeting are (i) Deccan High Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition 2023 and (ii) International Millets and Other Ancient Grains Research Initiative (MAHARISHI).On India’s initiative, it was the first time in the history of G20 that the Agriculture Ministers have agreed on champion the High Level Principles on food security and nutrition. The Principles demonstrate the G20’s collective responsibility in reinforcing and complementing efforts across geographies in response to global food security crises by :

• facilitating humanitarian assistance to countries and populations in vulnerable situations;
• enhancing availability and access to nutritious food and strengthening food safety nets; strengthening policies and collaborative actions for climate resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems;
• strengthening resilience and inclusivity in agriculture and food value chains;
• promoting the one health approach;
• accelerating innovation and the use of digital technology and
• scaling up responsible public and private investments in agriculture.

The seven (07) principles of the Deccan High Level Principles 2023, are placed below.

Millets and Other Ancient Grains International ReSearcH Initiative (MAHARISHI) is research collaboration on millets (Shree Anna) and other ancient grains, which are highly nutritious and climate-resilient crops. By building on the momentum of the efforts undertaken during the International Year of Millets 2023 and emphasizing research in areas of production, processing, marketing, and utilization.  India envisages to leverage the potential of millets (Shree Anna) for sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural development. The proposed Millets And other Ancient Grains International ReSearcH Initiative, initiated by India, was unanimously approved by the agricultural chief scientists of all G20 countries and invited international organizations in the meeting held in Varanasi and welcomed by the Agriculture Ministers in Hyderabad.

The G20 nations also pledged to alleviate the immediate suffering and build resilience in communities affected by food security crises by providing assistance and support. The G20 countries encouraged responsible investments from all sources in infrastructure, research, and innovations that support sustainable, climate-resilient, and productive agriculture.

Cognizant of the transformative potential of innovation and digital technology, the G20 nations committed to fostering scalable solutions that support the transition towards sustainable food systems. This involves ensuring affordable and inclusive access to digital infrastructure, as well as promoting the development and safe application of digital tools tailored to the specific needs of the small holder farmers.

To promote food security and nutrition programs, the G20 countries  and 9 invited guest countries (Spain, Netherlands, Singapore, Vietnam, Oman, Nigeria, UAE, Bangladesh, Mauritius) agreed to share best practices and experiences with each other in the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting.

 

G20 Deccan High Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition 2023

PRINCIPLE1: Facilitate Humanitarian Assistance to Countries and Populations in Vulnerable Situations

PRINCIPLE2: Enhance Availability and Access to Nutritious Food andStrengthen Food Safety Nets

PRINCIPLE 3: Strengthen Policies and Collaborative Actions for Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

PRINCIPLE 4: Strengthen Resilience and Inclusivity in Agriculture and Food Value Chains

PRINCIPLE 5: Promote the One Health Approach

PRINCIPLE 6: Accelerate Innovation and the Use of Digital Technology

PRINCIPLE 7: Scale-Up Responsible Public and Private Investments in Agriculture

 

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, 

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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SK/SS/2570

 

(Release ID: 1947881)