The G20 members recently held their first Agriculture Deputies' Meeting in which they discussed a number of important issues related to agriculture and food security. One of the key topics that was discussed was the impact of climate change on the agriculture sector, and the need to increase climate finance to support farmers in adapting to the changes.
During the meeting, the agriculture secretary of India, Manoj Ahuja, explained that the members felt there was a need to create an environment for increasing climate financing. This would involve financing farmers for adaptation measures such as adopting climate-friendly farming techniques and green agriculture. One way to incentivize farmers could be through the use of carbon credits.
The delegates also shared their experiences on the impact of climate change on agriculture, discussing how to save agriculture and make it sustainable. This is particularly important because the agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its dependence on natural resources like water, soil, and weather patterns.
The meeting also focused on achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of "zero hunger," which involves reducing food insecurity. The delegates discussed the increasing food insecurity that has been observed since 2018 and explored ways to address this issue. This is particularly important because hunger and malnutrition have long-term negative impacts on people's health and well-being.
The other priority areas that were discussed during the meeting included strengthening the value chain in agriculture and digital agriculture. The delegates had a detailed discussion on improving the 'farm to yolk' value chain in agriculture. This involves focusing on the entire value chain, from production to consumption, to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the agricultural sector.
In addition, India shared about the Agristack project, which is a digital platform that issues farm advisories and enables precision farming. The use of technology in agriculture can help farmers make better decisions, increase productivity, and reduce waste. The meeting was attended by around 100 delegates, including representatives of international organizations such as FAO, IFAD, and IFPRI. The participants discussed how to build a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector that can address the challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and poverty.
Based on the outcome of this meeting, further discussions will continue in future meetings on agriculture to be held in Chandigarh, Varanasi, and Hyderabad. Ten more countries will be invited to participate in these meetings, providing an opportunity for a broader dialogue on these important issues.
The discussions on climate change, food security, value chain, and digital agriculture provided valuable insights into how to create a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector that can meet the needs of current and future generations.
