New Delhi, June 12 (IANS). India on Friday appealed for greater cooperation from BRICS countries, saying all member countries should work together to empower small farmers, ensure food security and promote sustainable agricultural development across the world.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the collective efforts of BRICS countries can give a new direction to global agriculture and make an important contribution in building a more secure, sustainable and inclusive agricultural future.
Addressing a two-day conference of agriculture ministers of BRICS countries in Indore, Chouhan underlined India’s agricultural achievements, cultural values and its commitment towards global cooperation.
Chouhan highlighted India’s focus on strengthening international agricultural partnerships under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stressed the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which considers the entire world as one family.
The Minister said that this conference is an important platform to collectively consider the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers across the world. He said challenges like climate change, increasing pressure on natural resources, increasing agricultural costs and uncertainty in agricultural markets are affecting farmers.
He said that the welfare and empowerment of smallholder farmers is vital to strengthening global food security and ensuring sustainable agricultural development.
Chouhan said that if small and marginal farmers become economically strong and technically capable, the world’s food security system will also become more strong and resilient.
He said that India’s agriculture sector has registered an average annual growth of about 4.5 percent in the last decade. He informed the delegates attending the conference that the total food grain production of the country has now reached about 376 million tonnes, indicating continuous progress in the agriculture sector.
He said that wheat production in the country has reached about 118 million tonnes, while horticulture production has crossed the figure of 378 million tonnes.
Fish production has also increased significantly and now exceeds 19 million tonnes, reflecting the widespread development in agriculture and various allied sectors.
He further said that India is running the world’s largest food security program, through which food security is being provided to a large population.
The Union Minister further said that about 43 percent of India’s work force is engaged in agriculture and allied sectors, making it the most important pillar of the country’s economy.
Emphasizing the role of small and marginal farmers in India’s agricultural system, he said that about 87 percent of the farmers in the country fall in this category.
–IANS
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