G20 meeting of chief agricultural scientists begins in Varanasi

Tags: National News

The G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) began on 17 April in Varanasi.

An overview of the news

• The three-day meet is being organized by the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

• The theme of the meeting is “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for Healthy People and the Planet.’

• Around 80 foreign delegates from G20 member states are participating in the event.

• Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research Dr. Himanshu Pathak told that this is the 100th event related to G20.

• The discussions covered various issues of agricultural research and development including food security and nutrition, climate smart agriculture, digital agriculture, public private partnership etc.

Invited guest countries

• Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, UAE, Vietnam and international bodies like United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organization will participate in the meeting.

• International Solar Alliance, CDR and Asian Development Bank will also be participating as special invitees in the three-day meeting.

Millets and other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative (MAHARISHI)

• This initiative is also proposed for discussion as a G20 initiative during India's chairmanship.

• MAHARISHI aims to advance research collaboration and create awareness about millets and other ancient grains during the International Years of 2023 and beyond.

About the G20

• It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.

• Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.

• The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.