To mark the 100th birth anniversary of the late Professor M. S. Swaminathan — a pioneer of the Green Revolution and an enduring advocate for agricultural transformation — global leaders in food systems and farming convened in India for the Evergreen Revolution 2.0 plenary. The International Conference on Evergreen Revolution – The Pathway to Biohappiness, hosted by the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), explored bold visions for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agri-food systems.
IITA Directeur général et CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Siméon Ehui, joined distinguished panelists to discuss transformative agricultural approaches prioritizing farmer well-being, environmental sustainability, and food security. The event, opened by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscored the importance of global cooperation in achieving these goals.
“The Evergreen Revolution 2.0 is about restoring health, diversity in our diets, and bringing dignity to our farmers,” Dr Ehui emphasized during his address.
Throughout the two-day engagement, Dr Ehui, leading a delegation, advanced IITA’s partnerships with leading Indian institutions, reinforcing the importance of South–South collaboration in agricultural research and innovation.
At the headquarters of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Dr Ehui met with Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of ICAR, alongside senior officials. Discussions identified priority areas for collaboration — from soil health management and climate-smart crops to technology exchange and capacity building.
The IITA delegation also met with Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, India’s Minister of Agriculture, and P. S. Gangadhar, Joint Secretary for Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of External Affairs, to explore opportunities for strengthening agricultural R&D cooperation between India and Africa.
These strategic engagements reaffirm IITA’s commitment to building robust partnerships that advance sustainable agriculture and food security across continents. By combining India’s innovation capacity with Africa’s vast agricultural potential, the partnership aims to accelerate the development and scaling of solutions that address global challenges in food systems.
IITA expresses gratitude to MSSRF for the invitation and warm hospitality and looks forward to turning these discussions into impactful joint initiatives that benefit farmers and communities across the Global South.
Contribué par ‘Timilehin Osunde
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