On the sidelines of the I2U2 Business Forum held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Under Secretary of State Jose W. Fernandez welcomed the Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dammu Ravi as he signed a letter expressing the Indian Government's intention to join the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C). Launched in November 2021 by the United States and the United Arab Emirates, AIM4C aims to increase investment and support for climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation.
The mission of AIM4C is to promote investment in agriculture and food systems innovation to support climate adaptation and mitigation. It focuses on developing and scaling up technologies and practices that can help farmers and producers adapt to changing climate conditions, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve agricultural productivity and resilience. The initiative also aims to support smallholder farmers and increase their participation in climate-smart agriculture.
Since its launch, AIM4C has successfully increased investments to more than 8 billion U.S. dollars globally. The initiative has attracted the participation of more than 275 partners, including 42 governments, who are working to collectively advance its mission.
The Indian Government's decision to join AIM4C is a significant step towards promoting climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation in the country. India is the world's second-largest producer of food and agriculture products, and agriculture is a crucial sector of its economy, providing employment to a significant percentage of its population. Climate change poses a significant threat to India's agriculture sector, affecting crop yields, food security, and rural livelihoods.
India's participation in AIM4C will enable it to access the latest technologies and knowledge in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation. It will also provide opportunities for collaboration with other countries and organizations working towards similar goals. The initiative aims to promote the development of sustainable agricultural practices, such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and precision farming, that can improve productivity while reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.
India has already taken several steps towards promoting climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation. The country has launched several initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy in agriculture, promote sustainable water management practices, and develop climate-resilient crop varieties. India has also been a strong advocate for global action on climate change and has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 33-35% by 2030 from 2005 levels.
In conclusion, India's decision to join the AIM4C initiative is a positive step towards promoting climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation in the country. The initiative provides an opportunity for India to access the latest technologies and knowledge in this field and collaborate with other countries and organizations working towards similar goals. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices, India can improve productivity while reducing the environmental impact of agriculture and increase the resilience of its agriculture sector to climate change.
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