FOOD & CiVIL Supplies, COnsumer affaris & public distribution, Government of India at the meeting of Agriculture Ministers of BRIC Countries, MOSCOW, 26 march 2010
Minister of Agriculture of Russian Federation, Ms. Elena Skrynnik, Agriculture Minister of China Mr. Han Changfu, Minister of Agrarian Development of Brazil, Mr. Guilherme Cassel, other dignitaries and senior Officials, ladies and gentlemen.
2. I have had the honour of visiting the great country of Russia on several occasions in the past, on each occasion I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality that has been extended to me. This time it is no different. I wish to place on record my sincere thanks to the Government of the Russian Federation for the courtesies extended to me and other members of my delegation.
3. Excellencies, BRIC is a unique forum. It brings together four of the most dynamic developing economies located in different continents and yet bound together by shared values and commitment towards equitable and inclusive global growth. The BRIC forum provides us a platform to learn from each others’ experiences and to synergise our complementarities in a mutually beneficial manner.
4. Though we, as Agriculture Ministers of our respective countries, meet here today for the first time, exchanges between country’s leaders, foreign ministers, national security advisors over the last few years have helped in consolidation of our mutual interests. The quadrilateral format of BRIC draws immense strength from our bilateral relationships which have steadily acquired depth and significance and have evolved into strategic partnerships.
5. Excellencies, as we all know, at the plenary session of BRIC Summit held in June 2009, a unanimous view had emerged that restrictions on the free flow of trade and persons are counter-productive and pose a threat to the world at large and the developing world in particular. I am confident that our deliberations today will pave the way for further strengthening of trade relations between our four nations.
6. Besides the mutual benefits that may accrue to us through these negotiations, I feel that BRIC’s potential importance lies in our cooperation on issues of global economy and economic governance, which requires a coordinated approach and continuous exchange of views. Our partnership in this forum must be anchored in the fundamental principles of equality, mutual trust and common good. We must strive to work out common approaches and strategies on pressing global issues such as food security, impact of climate change on agriculture, energy security, pandemics and other related subjects.
7. Excellencies, BRIC Countries are richly endowed collectively and individually in terms of natural resources and other factors of production, and are, today, in a position to sustain higher growth rates. Brazil and Russia have abundant supplies of raw materials and energy resources. China and India are key players in manufacturing and services and are large consuming markets. Given the complementarities of our economies, there is a tremendous potential to enhance trade among our countries. With our rising middle class, BRIC countries is providing the much needed demand stimulus to the World economy in the present scenario of fragile economic recovery after the global economic and financial crisis.
8. We are all aware that BRIC countries together command 26 percent of the total geographic area of the globe with 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th largest cultivated land. BRIC cooperation in the field of agriculture holds considerable potential as it directly impacts nearly 40% of the global population living within it and indirectly much more. However, as a word of caution I must add that though the world today is able to meet its requirement for foodgrains, there is no room for complacency. Increasing productivity in a sustainable manner is therefore a compulsion. We must come together to increase investment in rural infrastructure, agriculture research and development and transfer of latest technology to the farmers for effectively enhancing production and productivity of agricultural crops to meet the ever increasing demand for foodgrains. May I therefore suggest the need for a group of technical experts on international agricultural research with a special responsibility not only to come up with effective knowledge based solution but to ensure the quickest possible dissemination amongst farmers through innovative delivery mechanism.
9. While on the subject, I take the opportunity to share with you the strengths of Indian Agriculture. Notable among these are the green revolution in foodgrains and white revolution in milk, a vast network of agricultural research and educational institutions, revitalised extension system with the help of information and communication technologies, empowering the farmers through easy availability of loans from rural banks and cooperatives and a well functioning public procurement and distribution system which is the largest in the world. The Indian initiatives of the last few years have served us well during these trying times. With less than 5% of world’s water and 3% of world’s arable land India has been able to feed 17% of the world’s population.
10. Indian agriculture today is changing rapidly to meet contemporary requirements. Today, we are self sufficient in most of the crops and are the second largest producers of fruits and vegetables and are giving special attention to post harvest management and food processing. We are also in the process of ushering in the second green revolution through knowledge based and market friendly interventions which will make Indian agriculture more productive, competitive, efficient and aligned with world agriculture.
11. The time has come to translate into reality the vast possibilities ahead of us and effectively make a difference to the lives of the less-privileged people not only in our four nations but in the whole world. Let us use this opportunity to strengthen the institutions and mechanism which will work in harmony for the development of agriculture and agriculturists. I am sure that this first meeting of BRIC Agriculture Ministers will go a long way in paving the path for our collaborative efforts in this field.
12. Before I conclude, I must once again thank our host, the Government of the Russian Federation, for organising this first meeting of Agriculture Ministers of BRIC countries and I look forward to translating the fruits of our labour into concrete action. India will be happy to engage proactively in this endeavour.
Thank you.
