2020 HLPF Side-Event

“On the road to the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021: Highlighting health and nutritional benefits through sustainable production and consumption of fruits and vegetables” 

INDIA STATEMENT 

by Ambassador K. Nagaraj Naidu Deputy Permanent Representative 

13 July 2020

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I thank the Mission of Chile, PR Ambassador Milenko and the FAO for organizing today’s event. It is an honor for India to join as a co-host of today’s event. 

Excellencies,

2. The right to safe and nutritious food and the role fruit and vegetable consumption in ensuring food security and reducing malnutrition have been affirmed on several occasions. This has been recognized since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in December 1948 and more recently in the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2020, the Rome Declaration on Nutrition, and in Goals 2, 3 and 12 of the SDGs.

3. According to the FAO, the regular consumption of diverse fruits and vegetables is essential for a well-balanced diet and to prevent micro-nutrient deficiency and non-communicable diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Despite this recognition, worldwide per capita consumption of fruit and vegetables is estimated to be 20-50% short of the minimum level recommended. 

4. Low intake of fruit and vegetables is among the top 10 risk factors for mortality in the world. This scenario is largely attributed to unhealthy diets in developed countries, and to poverty and food insecurity in developing countries. The problem also lies with growing monoculture production patterns all over the world. According to the FAO, about 75% of the world’s food is generated from only 12 plants and five animal species.

5.  In the COVID context, it is all the more important to develop immunity to fight the virus and fruits and vegetables are excellent sources to induce immunity. 

Excellencies, 

6. India, with just 2.4% of world’s land area, is the second largest producer of fruits with an annual production of 98 million tons, accounting for about 10.9% of the world production. We also produce 187 million tons of vegetables annually, accounting for 8.6% of world production. The area under cultivation under fruits and vegetables has also increased by about 11% between 2013-14 and 2017-18.

7. The increase in production has been largely due to government efforts in raising the levels of technology used in agriculture through R&D intervention, investments in rural infrastructure, capacity building, and through credit and procurement support. 

8. We have also deployed ICT to revolutionize the agriculture. Apart from a dedicated farmer’s portal and mobile-based apps and SMS services to provide information on weather, soil conditions and farm inputs, the government has launched an online platform for trading agricultural commodities (E-NAM). The platform helps farmers, traders and buyers in better price discovery and marketing of their produce all over India. We are implementing post-harvest management technologies including cold chain capacity of 37 million tons to decrease food waste and loss. 

Excellencies, 

9. We believe that sustainable agriculture is fundamental to food security. In this context, I would like to emphasize the importance of seed diversity. 75% of the world’s plant genetic diversity has been lost since the 1900s, as farmers have shifted from local varieties to genetically uniform, high-yielding crop breeds, thereby reducing the ability of crops to survive when faced with challenges.

10. GM crops also have significant socio-economic impacts. Because the seeds are proprietary, farmers have to pay royalties to use them and purchase new seeds every season, facing rising costs, and often increasing debt.

11. We need to bring seed diversity back and it is here that women have a crucial role to play because traditionally women across the world have been and continue to be caregivers, nutrition providers and the primary seed-keepers. From seed production, selection, enhancement, storage to seed sharing and exchange, women farmers play a critical role. 

Excellencies,

12.  I compliment Chile for championing to declare 2021 as an International Year of Fruits and Vegetables by United Nations General Assembly in 2019.

Going forward, Chile will be playing an important role as Chair of the International Steering Committee on International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021 at FAO in Rome. 

India as a member of the steering committee looks forward to closely working with Chile and other member states. 

I thank you.

*****