India is a Food Surplus Country Today, says PM Modi at ICAE 2024

On August 3, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India has achieved food surplus status and is committed to addressing global food and nutritional security challenges. Speaking at the inauguration of 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) in New Delhi, he also highlighted that the Union Budget 2024-25 emphasizes sustainable agriculture.

The theme for this year's conference is “Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems.” It aims to tackle the pressing need for sustainable agriculture in the face of global challenges such as climate change, natural resource degradation, rising production costs, and conflicts. Around 1,000 delegates from 75 countries are participating in the conference.

PM Modi expressed delight that the ICAE is taking place in India after 65 years and welcomed all the dignitaries on behalf of 120 million farmers, more than 30 million women farmers, 30 million fishermen, and 80 million animal keepers in India. “You are in the land which is home to more than 500 million livestock. I welcome you to the agricultural and animal-loving country of India," Modi said.

The Prime Minister emphasized the longevity of ancient Indian beliefs and experiences regarding agriculture and food and highlighted the priority given to science and logic in Indian agricultural tradition. He mentioned the scientific basis behind the medicinal properties of food.

The PM stressed that agriculture has grown on the foundation of this thousands-year-old vision, mentioning ‘Krishi Parashar,’ an almost 2,000-year-old treatise on agriculture based on this rich heritage. Pointing out the robust system of agricultural research and education in India, he said, “ICAR itself boasts more than 100 research institutes.” He also noted that there are over 500 colleges for agricultural education and more than 700 Krishi Vigyan Kendras. Highlighting the relevance of all six seasons in agricultural planning in India, the Prime Minister mentioned the distinct qualities of 15 agro-climatic zones.

He noted that agricultural produce changes if one travels about a hundred kilometers within the country. “Be it farming on the land, in the Himalayas, in the desert, water-scarce regions, or coastal areas, this diversity is crucial for global and makes India a ray of hope in the world,” the Prime Minister remarked. Recalling the last ICAE held in India 65 years ago, the PM noted that India was a newly independent nation facing significant challenges in food security and agriculture.

Today, the Prime Minister said, India is a food surplus country, the largest producer of milk, pulses, and spices, and the second largest producer of food grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton, sugar, tea, and farmed fish. He recalled a time when India’s food security was a global concern, while now India is providing solutions to global food and nutrition security. Therefore, the Prime Minister said, India’s experience is valuable for discussions on food system transformation and is sure to benefit the Global South.

PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to global welfare as a ‘Vishwa Bandhu’. He recalled India’s vision for global welfare and mentioned various mantras put forward by India, including ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future,’ ‘Mission LiFE,’ and ‘One Earth, One Health.’

The PM underlined India’s approach of not viewing the health of humans, plants, and animals in isolation. “Challenges to sustainable agriculture and food systems can only be tackled through a holistic approach,” he said.

“Agriculture is at the center of India’s economic policies,” the Prime Minister said, noting that the 90 percent of small farmers in India, who own little land, are the biggest strength of India’s food security. He pointed out that a similar situation exists in several developing countries in Asia, making India’s model applicable. Giving the example of natural farming, the Prime Minister noted the positive results of promoting chemical-free natural farming on a large scale in the country.

He also mentioned a significant focus on sustainable and climate-resilient farming in this year’s budget, as well as developing a complete ecosystem to support India’s farmers. Highlighting the government’s emphasis on research and development related to climate-resilient crops, the Prime Minister informed that nearly 1,900 new climate-resilient varieties have been introduced to farmers in the last 10 years.

He provided examples of rice varieties in India that require 25 percent less water than traditional varieties and the emergence of black rice as a superfood. “Black rice from Manipur, Assam, and Meghalaya is preferred due to its medicinal value,” he said, adding that India is eager to share its related experiences with the global community.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the seriousness of the nutrition challenge, along with water scarcity and climate change. He presented millet as a solution due to its ‘minimum water and maximum production’ quality. PM Modi expressed India’s willingness to share its millet basket with the world and mentioned that the previous year was celebrated as the International Year of Millets.

Mentioning initiatives to link agriculture with modern technology, the Prime Minister talked about the Soil Health Card, solar farming leading to farmers becoming energy providers, the Digital Agriculture Market (e-Nam), Kisan Credit Card, and PM Fasal Bima Yojana. He also touched upon the formalization of agriculture and allied sectors, ranging from traditional farmers to agri-startups, and from natural farming to farmstay and farm-to-table.

He informed that in the last 10 years, 9 million hectares have been brought under micro-irrigation. As India is fast moving towards the goal of 20 percent ethanol blending, he said both agriculture and the environment are benefiting. Highlighting the use of digital technology in agriculture, the Prime Minister mentioned PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, where money is transferred to the bank accounts of 100 million farmers with a single click, and a digital public infrastructure for crop surveys that provides real-time information to farmers and enables data-driven decisions.

He emphasized that this initiative will benefit millions of farmers and improve their economic conditions. He also mentioned a major campaign for the digitization of land, where farmers will receive a digital identification number for their land, and the promotion of drones in farming, where ‘drone didi's’ are trained to operate drones. These steps will not only benefit Indian farmers but also strengthen global food security.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister noted the presence of many young people and expressed confidence that the next five days will reveal ways to connect the world with Sustainable Agri-Food Systems. “We will learn from each other and also teach each other,” he added. Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Member of NITI Aayog Prof Ramesh Chand, Conference President Prof Matin Qaim, and Secretary of DARE and DG, ICAR Dr Himanshu Pathak were present on the occasion.

The ICAE 2024 platform allows young researchers and leading professionals to present their work and network with global peers. It aims to strengthen partnerships between research institutes and universities, influence policymaking on both national and global scales, and showcase India’s agricultural progress, including advancements in digital agriculture and sustainable agri-food systems.