Bilateral meeting with Mr Davesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India

Rome - On the occasion of the World Food Forum (WFF) 2024, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu met with Mr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India, today in Rome to discuss mutual collaboration and shared experiences.

The Director-General warmly welcomed the Secretary and emphasized the significant opportunities for India to benefit from FAO’s vast expertise in agrifood systems. He encouraged India to strengthen its engagement with FAO, highlighting the potential for India to share its own wealth of knowledge, technology, and agricultural innovations with the global community. 

The Secretary expressed his gratitude for the Director-General’s warm welcome and reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening its involvement in FAO activities. He underscored India’s vast experience in food production, supply chains, exports, and the successful implementation of agricultural projects, suggesting that these achievements could serve as models for collaboration with FAO and Members, and noted that this cooperation could also enhance India’s global visibility.

The Director-General highlighted the critical need for establishing a comprehensive agricultural policy to support vulnerable populations, particularly given India’s status as a populous country. He reaffirmed FAO’s willingness to collaborate closely with India to address hunger and malnutrition. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of ecological zones, urging India to leverage innovative tools and technical expertise in these areas. The Director-General also pointed to India’s untapped potential in fruit production and aquatic foods, calling for increased focus and cooperation in these sectors.

The pair agreed to continue strengthening collaboration, particularly through platforms like the South-South and Triangular Cooperation programme, to enhance Indian’s role in advancing global agricultural development.