Asia Bio Ag Forum discuss ways to boost adoption of sustainable agri practices

The forum hosted an exclusive CEOs session on global opportunities for India

The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, recently launched the Asia Bio Ag Forum, a two-day conclave held by the Agriculture Today Group at National Agriculture Science Centre (NASC), New Delhi. The objective of the forum was to promote and boost the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and ensure food and nutritional security, as well as farmer prosperity, across Asia.

The forum hosted an exclusive CEOs session on global opportunities for India. On the Chair and Co-Chair was Dr William Dar, Agriculture Minister – Philippines; and Dr Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary-General, AARDO. Other dignitaries that were present for the event included Dr Rattan Lal, Renowned Soil Health Scientist and World Food Prize Laureate; Dr Tarun Bajaj, Director, APEDA; Dr MJ Saxena, Managing Director, Ayurvet; Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director, Plant-Based Foods Industry Association; and Dr Neelam Patel, Senior Advisor Agriculture, NITI Aayog.

Tomar said, “The government’s intent hereon is to eliminate the practice of middlemen in the agriculture value chain so that the farmers get a fair price for their products and do not face discrimination in any manner. I assure you that we are also taking efforts to make agriculture and farmers connected with the latest technology.”

Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director, PBFIA, highlighted three trends shaping the plant-based food sector- a) sustainability, b) the tsunami of entrepreneurs and consumer focus on health c) the treatment of food and diet as a means of medicine.

Sethi added, “Plenty of young entrepreneurs are entering the plant-based food sector, and they need guidance concerning the preparation of safe foods as per the regulations laid by the regulatory authorities. Therefore, optimum training, handholding and mentoring support become essential. A joint task can provide valuable support to not just institutes like NIFTEM but to hundreds of other institutes breeding young scientists and entrepreneurs. The other potential opportunity can come from pea production and processing amidst the geo-political changes caused by Ukraine- Russia war. The demand for pea protein to formulate value-added products is witnessing a tremendous rise globally. Additionally, there is a need to bring a component of technology into the food production system. Wherein we can save soil, water bodies and reduce air pollution. Including mention of the carbon footprint of food choices as a labelling requirement”.

Dr William Dar, Agriculture Minister of Philippines, Mr Hugo Javier Gobbi, Ambassador of Argentina in India, and Dr Douglas Ry Wagner, Global CEO, AlgaeEnergy, Spain, stressed that cooperation between nations is key to the global adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
The conclave successfully concluded with a brief presentation of BioAg Asia Awards 2022 and a vote of thanks.

The forum hosted an exclusive CEOs session