Minister for Agriculture, Radha Mohan Singh has called for more investment in family farms to channel affordable credit and sustainability especially to combat impact of climate change. In his message, on the eve of World Food Day, Sh. Radha Mohan Singh has said that family farming is inextricably linked to ensuring national and global food security and is the pre-dominant form of agriculture in both developed and developing countries. Underlining the importance of family farmers in the growth of agriculture, Sh. Radha Mohan Singh said family farmers despite less access to productive resources efficiently manage their agriculture and record high productivity. Family farmers have not only preserved traditional food products but have also contributed to produce a balanced diet and safeguard the world’s agro-biopersity and sustainable use of natural resources. India has consistently supported small farm holders which have played a very dominant role in steady growth of agriculture, he added.
The Minister has said almost 200 million hectares of gross cropped area is cultivated by small farm holders to help the country in achieving macro food security. In order to realise the full potential of family farmers in eradicating hunger and malnutrition and ensuring food security, Government of India has put in place an extensive research system involving national and state level institutions beside agriculture universities. Extension workers and cooperative societies help in educating farmers and providing inputs such as credit, seed, fertiliser etc. to family farmers.
The Agriculture Minister has said that on the World food Day, all of us should resolve to strengthen family farmers keeping in view their contribution to Indian Agriculture and to ensure food security. Every year 16th October is observed as World Food Day to mark the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). The intention of observing this Day is to raise public awareness about the plight of the hungry and malnourished people all over the world and initiate comprehensive action to tackle and mitigate the menace of malnutrition and hunger. The theme selected for this year’s World Food Day is Family Farming: “Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth”.