Implement food waste prevention programmes for food security: Amitabh Kant

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

India G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Thursday made a strong case for food waste prevention programmes globally to reduce food insecurity and mobilise private funding for research in sustainable agriculture. Kant was addressing the maiden Global Food Regulators Summit 2023 here. «This is the first time a meeting of this nature is being held during India's G20 presidency.

We feel strongly that locally adapted crops are significant for the transition towards resilient agriculture and food systems,» he said. To strengthen research, collaboration and public awareness of green crops, the G20 in its agriculture ministerial meeting, launched millet and other ancient grains international research initiative called Maharishi. The former bureaucrat said the world is passing through a critical time as one-third of the world is in recession, and 75 countries of the world are facing a global debt crisis.

Also, there is a major crisis of food, fuel and fertiliser in several countries. «The need of the hour is not only to focus on the immediate crisis and short-term measures but also for all countries to make their food systems more resilient in the long run,» he said and urged the global food regulators to consider encouraging the cultivation of alternative crops beyond the major grains. He also talked about India's initiatives to popularise the use of millet.

He informed that not a single meal is served at programs being held during India's presidency. This, he said, is being done to promote alternative crops. He further said: «It is important to mobilise private funding towards research and development in climate resilient and sustainable agriculture...it's important to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable groups through targeted