Chandigarh: Under India’s G20 Presidency the second meeting of the Agriculture Working Group (AWG) in “City Beautiful” Chandigarh concluded on Friday, 31st March 2023.
During the three-day meeting, India emphasized regional cooperation in friendly farming, digitization, food security, and nutrition in the agriculture sector. The G20 members also discussed challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and food waste during the meeting.
G20 members drafted a release on the last day of the three-day Agriculture Working Group (AWG) representative meeting to address the needs of the four thematic areas related to solving problems in agriculture. The meeting ended with a local visit from the foreign delegation.
On the first day of the meeting on Wednesday, the food market Representatives of various countries expressed their views on the development. The G20 delegates were taken on a tour of the famous Rock Garden in Chandigarh, where delegates were surprised to see the mesmerizing figures made of sandstone and waste material. They also visited the most famous garden in the world Shumar Rock Garden which apart from its stunning architecture and serene atmosphere had broken bangles, cup plates, glasses, tiles, and household items, and the idols made of waste material which attracted a lot of attention from the guests.
The meeting started with discussions on Agriculture Market Information System (AMIS) for Rapid Response Forum (RRF), wherein senior Economic and Statistical Consultant, Arun Kumar shared his views. He welcomed all the delegates to the 12th session for RRR and talked about timely evidence-based policymaking so that the concern of high prices of food grains can be removed.
The meeting saw deliberations on four important issues related to agriculture, food security, and nutrition, towards climate Sustainable Agriculture with Smart Approach, Inclusive Agriculture Value Chain, and Food System and digitization for agricultural transformation. The event saw participation from 19 member states, 10 invited countries, and 10 international organizations.
During the meeting, the representatives discussed quick access to Food Market Status, and Agricultural Market Information System, and Emphasis were placed on setting up a feedback forum as it has potential for the agriculture sector. Also, a focus on manufacturing requirements and the ‘impact of financial factors on imports’ is required. Representatives of Sherpa Tracks from G20 countries kept their point at the conference, which India supported discussions on climate change, urbanization, and food waste during Regional cooperation in climate-resilient agriculture to address the challenges and emphasized the need for more investment.
The objective of the meeting was to bring together the G20 member countries on a single platform to promote agriculture and food. As well as to be safe and to work towards a sustainable future. The second day of the meeting elaborated on topics such as food security and nutrition among the member countries was discussed.
On the last day of the meeting, a draft release of information (communication) has been prepared. between the member countries, which will focus on all four issues related to agriculture.
During this period) in Rock Garden, Chandigarh coarse grains (millets) Food festival was organized. The delegates were introduced to the grain and its benefits. Other than this the guests were also taken on a tour of Sukhna Lake. The meeting on Friday ended with a dinner organized for delegates at Yadavindra Garden, Pinjore.
