The 100 th G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists Begins in Varanasi

The 100 th G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists Begins in Varanasi on 17 th April

On 17 th April 2023, India achieved a significant milestone in its G20 Presidency, as it hosted its 100th G20 meeting i.e. the meeting of Agriculture Chief Scientists (MACS) in Varanasi.

The 100th meeting of the G20 Working Group was held at Hotel Taj Ganges. On this occasion, G20 member countries and invited countries shared responsibility, resources, and technologies to make agriculture and food systems sustainable. The three-day meet is being organized by the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture, and Farmers Welfare. 

The meeting saw participation by Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation Gen (Retd) VK Singh, senior officials of other ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of External Affairs, and 80 delegates from 20 major countries of the world as well as other partner countries. 

The first session of the meeting focused on ‘Food Security and Nutrition: The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation’. The second session was based on ;Resilient Agri-Food Systems;. During this, a message was given, to do nutritious food and friendly farming

considering the environment, to keep the world healthy.

Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation Gen (Retd) VK Singh gave an address during the inaugural session. Speaking on the occasion General Retd VK Singh said that this meeting is very important as the Government of India has launched many programs and schemes related to agriculture in the country and we can exchange our views with the rest of the world. The meeting proposed "Millets and Other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative (Maharishi)" for deliberations. 

He added India has the potential to lead the world in the field of millet as we have been growing the superfood for centuries.

After the meeting, all the delegates also participated in Ganga Aarti after visiting Kashi. On the second day of the meeting, there will be a session titled ;Digital Agriculture and Sustainable Agricultural Value Chain and Public Private Partnership in Agricultural R& Perspectives from Developed and Developing Countries. After this, all the foreign guests will go to Sarnath in the evening. The delegates will see the museum and light and sound show, while also getting to enjoy a cultural program at Buddha Theme Park.

Individual participation during India;s G20 Presidency is one of the largest ever. So far, more than 12,300 delegates from more than 100 nations have participated in G20-related meetings.

It includes the participation of G20 members, 9 invited countries, and 14 International organizations. To date, 100 G20 meetings have been held in 41 cities covering 28 states and union territories.