Shivraj and Bill Gates discussed on various topics related to agricultural and rural development

Gates Foundation's collaboration with India's Ministry of Agriculture has the potential to expand. India's Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates discussed the issue of collaboration in the field of food nutrition, production enhancement, digital agricultural extension systems, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and climate-resilient agricultural technology in New Delhi.

Other topics from livelihood programs to Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi to advanced animal vaccines to collaboration on rural development at the international level were also discussed. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration with one another. India's agricultural research was described as the best by Bill Gates and it would prove to be useful to other countries as well.

Chouhan told Bill Gates that India is committed to world welfare by following the principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. On Bill Gates' appreciation of India's agricultural research, Chauhan said that we are ready to share our efforts with the world. He praised the efforts being made by the Gates Foundation for health, poverty alleviation, agriculture, and nutrition and said that our tradition teaches us to respect the great people who have improved millions of lives.

Chouhan told Gates that in a decade India has achieved great achievements in poverty alleviation, women empowerment, and the agriculture sector. India has emerged as a country with a fast-growing economy. The pace of development will continue. Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. India's annual growth in the agricultural sector has been more than four percent in a decade.

Global agricultural land and clean water resources are less than four percent. Yet India provides food security to 18 percent of the world's human population and 15 percent of livestock. Chauhan said that agriculture is among our top priorities. We are the largest producer of millet, spices, milk, and pulses and the second largest producer of rice-wheat, fruits, and vegetables.

Climate-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices are being promoted. India spends 10-11 percent of the total budget on agriculture and related sectors, which is more than five lakh crores. Technology is being given priority in agriculture. The amount is transferred to the accounts of 11 crore farmers in one click.

He said that we expect technical cooperation in artificial intelligence and are willing to work in this direction with the Gates Foundation. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, Rural Development Secretary Shailesh Singh, and many other officials and representatives of the Gates Foundation were present at the meeting.