The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated an International Research Conference on ‘From research to impact: Towards Just and Resilient Agri-Food Systems’, being hosted by CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in New Delhi, today (October 9, 2023).
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that a society, irrespective of its prosperity, will cease to exist if it is devoid of justice. She added that when it comes to gender justice, agriculture, known as the oldest science, is found wanting even in the modern times.
The President of India, Shri Narendra Modi, has emphasized the need for justice in agriculture and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on societal inequality. She highlighted that women have been excluded from the agri-food systems, forming the lowest pyramid of the agriculture structure, but are denied the opportunity to become decision-makers.
The President also highlighted the discriminatory social norms and barriers to knowledge, ownership, assets, resources, and social networks that hinder women’s participation in the agri-food system. She called for women’s empowerment through legislative and governmental interventions, emphasizing the importance of women-led development.
The President also highlighted the urgent need to address climate change as an existential threat, as it disrupts food production, hinders climate action, and increases greenhouse gases. She stressed the need to increase biodiversity and restore ecosystems to ensure food and nutritional security through agri-food systems, leading to a more prosperous and equitable future for all.
For ecologically sustainable, ethically desirable, economically affordable, and socially justifiable production, she called for research that can enable conditions to reach these goals and a systematic understanding of how to transform agri-food systems. She emphasized the need for resilient and agile systems that can withstand shocks and disruptions, making nutritious and healthy diets more accessible, available, and affordable for all.
The President expressed confidence that the conference will consider all issues and pave the way for positive transformation of agri-food systems over the next four days.
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Source: PIB
