G-20 Agriculture Ministers Discuss Ways to Deal with COVID-19 Pandemic and Safeguard Global Food Security

Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday (21^st April 2020) participated in an extraordinary virtual meeting of the ‘G-20 Agriculture Ministers’ to discuss about COVID-19 impacts on food security, safety & nutrition. Tomar informed about Indian Government’s decision to exempt all agriculture works during lockdown & ensure continued availability of essential agriculture produce and supply, while following the protocol of social distancing, health & hygiene.

The minister also highlighted that PM Narendra Modi has been at the forefront of supporting nations to tide over this situation in different ways adding that agriculture won’t be left behind, consistent with the needs of our people.

It is important to mention that the G-20 Agriculture Ministers virtual meeting was held through video conferencing by the Saudi Presidency to discuss on the ways & means of ensuring continuity of food supply value chain including income of farmers. The meeting was attended by Agriculture Ministers of all the G-20 members, few guest nations and International organizations. The minister appreciated the initiative taken by Saudi Arabia to bring the G-20 nations together.

Soon after, a declaration of G-20 agriculture ministers was accepted. The G-20 countries resolved to have international cooperation in this COVID-19 pandemic situation, to prevent food wastages & losses and also maintain continuity of food supply value chain across the borders. They also decided to work together for food security & nutrition, share best practices & lessons learnt, responsible investments, promote research, innovations & reforms that will ultimately improve the sustainability & resilience of agriculture & food systems.