NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) in India, which is taking place there for the first time in 65 years. During his speech at the conference which is attended by around 1,000 delegates from 70 countries, he highlighted that India’s experiences in transforming the food system are invaluable and serve as a model for the global south and the world.

In his address, PM Modi mentioned that 65 years ago, India, as a newly independent nation, faced significant food security challenges. However, it has since become a food surplus country, the largest producer of milk, pulses, and spices, and the second largest producer of food grain, fruits, vegetables, cotton, sugar, tea, and farmed fish.

PM Modi emphasized that India has achieved food surplus status while actively contributing to global food and nutritional security. He stated that agriculture is central to India's economic policies, and the Union Budget 2024-25 prioritizes sustainable and climate-resilient farming, along with developing a comprehensive support system for Indian farmers.

Reflecting on the previous ICAE, PM Modi noted that India was grappling with agriculture and food security issues as a newly independent nation. "Today, India is a food surplus country," he said, emphasizing its position as the world's largest producer of milk, pulses, and spices, and the second-largest producer of food grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton, sugar, and tea.

"India's food security was once a global concern," PM Modi remarked. "Now, India is contributing to solutions for global food and nutritional security," he added, underscoring that India's experience is crucial for discussions on food system transformation and beneficial for the global south.