Minister P. Prasad stresses the importance of agricultural lands and sustainability, warning that food scarcity could lead to global conflicts by 2050.
Kochi: The future of the country is dependent on agricultural lands, stated Agriculture Minister P. Prasad. He was speaking during the Summit of the Future, where he planted a sapling on campus. The minister emphasized the need for sustainability in agriculture, noting that by 2050, 60% more food will be required than is currently produced. He pointed out that agricultural lands are shrinking in modern times, and as the population grows, food demands will increase. He warned that if agriculture is not promoted, the next world war might be fought over food.
The minister stated that hunger remains a problem without a permanent solution, and food is the only answer. “While the development of artificial intelligence is astounding, the greatest invention of the world is agriculture. Man learned agriculture from nature. Food is the primary component for the survival of life. This is why I argue that agriculture is the greatest discovery of the world,” he said.
Food is a fundamental right for all, and if agricultural land falls into the hands of corporate giants, this right may be violated. He further explained that allowing food scarcity to be monetized would lead to a disaster. The minister also emphasized the importance of teaching the younger generation to love the land. Many of the prevalent diseases today are caused by unhealthy food, which is why the country needs to give agriculture more importance.
Discussions at the Summit of the Future focus on grand dreams and visions for tomorrow, and since agriculture and nature are central topics at this global event, the minister believes it will help instill the importance of agriculture in the younger generation.
