“Along with water shortage and climate change, nutrition is a big challenge but India has a solution for this – India is the biggest producer of millets – to which, the world called as a superfood, we have named it as Shri Ann. Based on the principle of minimum water and maximum production, India’s superfood can solve the issue of global nutrition concern. India is willing to share its basket of superfoods with the world,” the Prime Minister said in his address.
Moreover, India is promoting chemical-free natural farming, he added.
Talking about the Union Budget that was tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last month, the Indian PM said, the document focuses on sustainable agriculture.
“In India, we are using digital technology in the agriculture sector,” said Modi. “Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, funds are transferred in the bank accounts of 10 crore farmers by one click in just 30 seconds. We are developing digital public infrastructure for digital crop survey. Our farmers will get real time information, and they will be able to take data driven decision,” he added.
“Our traditions and experiences about food and agriculture are as ancient as our country. In the agricultural tradition of India, science and logic are given priority… We have the Ayurvedic science of consuming food with medicinal effects. It has been a part of our Indian society… Almost 2000 years back, a Granth namely ‘Krishi Parashar‘ was written, it’s a heritage for the human history,” PM Modi said.On ethanol blending PM Modi said, “We are moving towards achieving 20% ethanol blending target in petrol.”The ICAE is being held in India after 65 years.
It will witness the participation of delegates from around 75 countries. The triennial conference, organised by the International Association of Agricultural Economists is being held from 02 to 07 August. The theme for this year’s conference is, “Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems.”