NEW DELHI, 2 June 2023: In a significant development, the 8th meeting of Agriculture Ministers from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries was convened virtually under the chairmanship of Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

The meeting witnessed the adoption of a comprehensive Smart Agriculture project by SCO member nations, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation in the agricultural sector.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of utilizing technology for the holistic development of agriculture was highlighted by Tomar, who emphasized India's commitment to promoting smart agriculture.

Tomar extended a warm welcome to the participants on behalf of India and emphasized the importance of the SCO in fostering multilateral engagements across various domains.

Recognizing the current need for stronger collaboration in food security and nutrition, Tomar stressed the importance of maintaining smooth food supply chains through close coordination among nations. Highlighting India's position as the largest employer in the agriculture sector and a crucial economic contributor, he emphasized the government's priority in ensuring the welfare of farmers and the overall development of the agriculture sector.

India's successful public distribution system and farmer support mechanisms were lauded by Tomar, underscoring the country's self-sufficiency in food grain production. As a leading producer of commodities such as cereals, fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, and fish, India has contributed significantly to global food security. Shri Tomar expressed India's willingness to share best practices, build capacities, and collaborate with international organizations to help other nations achieve self-reliance and food security.

Efforts to enhance the sustainability and productivity of Indian agriculture were highlighted, including innovation, digital agriculture, climate-smart technologies, and the development of high-yielding, biofortified crop varieties.

Tomar also emphasized the government's initiatives to promote organic and natural farming, the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and the allocation of funds for rural infrastructure development.

India's focus on leveraging digital technologies in agriculture was emphasized, with the implementation of the National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture, Agristack, and the India Digital Ecosystem for Agriculture. These initiatives aim to digitize schemes and create a unified platform for easy access by farmers.

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the Electronic National Agriculture Market, and programs for irrigation infrastructure development, soil fertility conservation, and farm-to-market connectivity were also highlighted as measures to increase farmers' income and welfare.

Tomar urged SCO countries to support the International Year of Millets declared by the United Nations, emphasizing India's commitment to addressing food and nutritional security as well as climate-friendly practices. He also underscored the promotion of biofortified crop varieties to combat malnutrition in the country.

The meeting commenced with a welcome address by Manoj Ahuja, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Representatives from the SCO Secretariat, along with high-level officials from the agriculture and farmers' welfare ministries of SCO member countries, participated in the meeting.

The adoption of the Smart Agriculture project marks a significant milestone in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and strengthening cooperation among SCO member nations. India's leadership and commitment to leveraging technology for agricultural development are expected to pave the way for transformative initiatives in the sector.