New Delhi- The Prime Minister emphasised the country's commitment to finding solutions for global food and nutrition security by leveraging its natural resources, especially milk, spices, and lentils.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) at the National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex in Delhi, PM Modi said, "I am happy that after 65 years, such a conference is being organised in India. You all are here from different countries of the world. I welcome you on behalf of 120 million farmers of India, more than 30 million women farmers of India, and 30 million fishermen of the country... Today, you are in a country where 550 million animals live. You all are welcome in this agriculture-dominated and animal-loving country," PM Modi said.​

The Prime Minister said that India is a food surplus country; we are working on solutions for global food security.​

In his address, PM Modi said, "In India, even today we plan by keeping in mind the six seasons. We have 15 agricultural climatic zones -- all have their specialities. If you travel some 100 kilometres here, agriculture practices change. This diversity makes India a ray of hope for the food security of the world. Today, India is a food surplus country that is the biggest producer of milk, spices and lentils. At a point in time, India's food security was a global concern, today, India is finding solutions for global food and nutrition security."​

He further said that in the agricultural tradition of India, science and logic are given priority.​

"Our traditions and experiences about food and agriculture are as ancient as our country. In the agricultural tradition of India, science and logic are given priority. We have the Ayurvedic science of consuming foods with medicinal effects. It has been a part of our Indian society. Almost 2000 years back, a Granth namely 'Krishi Parashar' was written, it's a heritage for human history," the Prime Minister said.​

PM Modi said that India is developing digital public infrastructure for digital crop surveys.​

In India, we are using digital technology in the agriculture sector. Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, funds are transferred in the bank accounts of 10 crore farmers by one click in just 30 seconds. We are developing digital public infrastructure for digital crop surveys. Our farmers will get real-time information, and they will be able to make data-driven decisions," he said.​

The PM said that along with water shortages and climate change, nutrition is a big challenge but India has a solution for this.​

"India is the biggest producer of millets -- which, the world called as a superfood, we have named it as Shri Ann. Based on the principle of minimum water and maximum production, India's superfoods can solve the issue of global nutrition concern. India is willing to share its basket of superfoods with the world," PM Modi asserted.​

The triennial conference, organised by the International Association of Agricultural Economists, will be held from August 2 to 7, 2024. The theme for this year's conference is, "Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems."​