On World Food Day 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare commemorated the 80th anniversary of its partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Agriculture Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi delivered the keynote address, highlighting the transformational journey of India from a food-deficient nation to a food-self-sufficient powerhouse feeding 1.4 billion people.
Enduring Partnership and Mutual Support
Dr. Chaturvedi acknowledged FAO’s technical assistance and sustained collaboration with the Ministry, instrumental in achieving food grain self-sufficiency, promoting crop diversification, and strengthening farmer resilience. He emphasized the future focus on nutrition-sensitive agriculture to ensure diets that are healthy, diverse, safe, and affordable for all.
India’s Agricultural Transformation
India’s journey exemplifies how strategic policies, innovation, and international cooperation can convert hunger and malnutrition challenges into success stories. Despite having less than 4% of the world’s agricultural land and freshwater, India has achieved food security and price stability through systems like public stockholding and the Minimum Support Price (MSP). These support over 800 million people under the National Food Security Act, embodying India’s rights-based approach.
Smallholder Empowerment and Climate Adaptation
The backbone of India’s agricultural achievement is its 146 million small and marginal farms. Targeted initiatives including stress-tolerant seeds, concessional credit, crop insurance, and climate-smart practices have led to enhanced productivity, resilience, and incomes in rural communities.
Sustainability remains a prime focus with wide-reaching promotion of micro-irrigation, integrated and natural farming, organic agriculture, and development of cutting-edge digital infrastructure such as AgriStack, empowering farmers with technology and real-time information.
Special Event Highlights
The event featured the launch of FAO’s coffee table book, “Sowing Hope, Harvesting Success,” celebrating eight decades of impactful collaboration. UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Shombi Sharp noted India’s rise as a global agricultural leader, while FAO’s Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara reaffirmed continued support for India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
World Food Day’s theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” echoed the inclusive spirit with participation from government officials, UN agencies, development partners, and farmers across India.
Conclusion
Dr. Chaturvedi concluded by emphasizing the need for global solutions grounded in local realities through open knowledge-sharing and collective action to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He extended warm wishes on World Food Day and Diwali, reaffirming India’s commitment to food security, inclusive growth, and sustainable agriculture.
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Source: PIB
