Muskaan Jindal
19th October 2020
PM Modi released the new Rs 75 coin to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FOA) of the United Nations. Speaking at a web meeting, the prime minister also dedicated seventeen biofortified varieties of eight crops. He emphasized committing to the farmers' needs to acquire crops at ‘Minimum Support Price’ (MSP).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of FOA (Source: India Today)
"MSP and government procurement are an important part of the country's food security. It is important that it continues to function with better facilities and in a scientific way. We are committed towards this," the PM said, as reported by Business Standard. The PM added, "Once farmers of India become strong and their incomes increase, the mission against malnutrition will also garner strength."
In his statement, he also expressed how strengthened ties between India and FOA will help combat malnutrition in the country, "Our world today is a better place because of the United Nations." PM Modi paid his respects to the peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty. As reported by India Today, India provided for more than 200,000 troops in numerous peacekeeping missions mandated by the U.N. In the last 70 years, around 160 military and civilian personnel have lost their lives for these missions.The PM later emphasized how we still have a long way to go to achieve our goals. The declaration being adopted today acknowledges the work that is yet to be done, said PM Modi.
On India's association with FAO, Modi added, "India has had a historic association with FAO. Indian Civil Service Officer Dr. Binay Ranjan Sen was the Director General of FAO during 1956-1967. The World Food Programme, which won the Nobel Peace Prize 2020, was established during his time." PM Modi also highlighted how India's plans for the International Year of Pulses in the year 2016 and the International Year of Millets (2023) have been endorsed by FAO, as reported by Hindustan Times.
FOA's India representative Tomio Schichiri, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, and Union Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar, along with horticulture campaigns, were a part of the event. T.S. Trimurti, India's representative to the United Nations, introduced the pre-recorded video statement.
(Sources: The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, India Today)
Edited by: Keyuri