The virtual meeting of G-20 Agriculture and Water Ministers was held on September 13. The meeting was attended by Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare Parshottam Rupala.
During the meeting, the Jal Shakti Minister assured the forum of India's commitment to contribute towards the objectives, goals and targets set by G-20. He said that the government of India is implementing the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' to provide household tap connections to 190 million rural homes, thereby ensuring drinking water security.
About Open Defecation Free India, the forum was informed about the efforts to sustain the gains of 'Swachh Bharat Mission', with more focus on solid and liquid waste management and greywater treatment and reuse.
Shekhawat said, “Technology plays a critical role in the prevailing pandemic situation and applauded India's IT expertise which it shares with the whole world.
Stating that agriculture is a high priority sector for India, Parshottam Rupala mentioned the policy measures taken by the government to ensure food security. He also reiterated India's resolve to work together in collaboration to enhance productivity, sustainable use of natural resources, and development of agriculture value chain and promotion of trade for the benefit of people.
He also informed them about the protocols developed by India to use drones for spraying of pesticides for timely control of dessert locusts and appealed to the G-20 member countries to work in tandem and come up with an action plan for trans-boundary pest and diseases to safeguard crops. He also appealed to G-20 member countries to share knowledge and best practices to reduce the ill-effects of climate change that could affect agriculture and livelihoods of farmers.
