In a forward-thinking proposal, a distinguished member of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deploy agricultural scientists to G20 embassies. The move, aimed at strengthening global agricultural ties and fostering collaboration on critical issues like food security, climate change, and sustainable farming, comes at a time when the world is grappling with unprecedented challenges in the agricultural sector.
The ICAR representative emphasized that India’s rich agricultural expertise, particularly in areas like crop science, sustainable practices, and agro-technology, could be a valuable asset for global food systems. Attaching agro-scientists to embassies would not only enhance India’s agricultural diplomacy but also promote knowledge sharing and research partnerships with G20 nations.
In a letter to Prime Minister, Venugopal Badaravada voiced concern over the slow progress in agricultural collaborations, despite key agreements with nations like Brazil. He referenced the 2008 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICAR and Brazil’s Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), as well as additional MoUs signed during the 2016 BRICS Summit in Goa, which included India’s Ministries of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and ABCZ.
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Badaravada noted that Brazil has appointed an Agriculture Attaché at its New Delhi embassy, while Indian embassies rely on IFS officers who handle agricultural matters as part of broader trade responsibilities.
“While these officers are highly capable, they do not possess the specialized expertise required to fully harness the potential of international cooperation in agriculture and related sectors.”
Given the G20’s commitment to addressing global food security and climate-resilient agriculture, the scientist argued that this initiative would bolster India’s role in leading international discussions on sustainable agriculture. The proposal also suggests that these scientists would help position India as a pivotal player in global agricultural innovation, sharing best practices and helping to address pressing challenges such as climate change adaptation, soil health management, and biodiversity conservation.
The ICAR member noted that with India’s presidency of the G20 for 2023, the timing is ideal for such a proposal. By embedding agricultural expertise in diplomatic missions, India could spearhead cross-border collaborations that benefit not only the nation but also the global community.
In response to this suggestion, agricultural experts across India have lauded the idea, seeing it as a step toward making India’s agricultural advancements more globally visible. If accepted, the initiative could lead to increased cooperation in agricultural research, trade, and technology exchanges among G20 nations.
The Prime Minister’s Office has yet to comment on the proposal, but sources suggest that it could be under consideration as part of broader strategies to internationalize India’s agricultural sector and enhance its global leadership in food systems transformation.
