India ready to work with FAO to help other nations in tackling locust problem: Agri ministry

India is rey to work with United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to assist or countries in event of recurrence of migratory pests such as locust and fall armyworm, Minister of State for Agriculture Parshottam Rupala said on Thursday. minister expressed government's willingness to share India's experience and work with FAO on controlling migratory pest while dressing a four-day FAO's 35th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference (APRC).

This virtual conference, hosted by Bhutan, was convened to plan responses and recovery work to dress twin pandemics - COVID-19 and hunger. In India, problem of desert locust that prevailed since April 11 has now subsided after government's timely measures in over 10 norrn states to prevent its spre. Extending support for tackling locust problems, Rupala asked FAO to find innovative solutions to dress challenges related to water scarcity, climate change, hunger and nutrition.

"I urge FAO to find innovative solutions, evidence-based analysis and partnership to develop multi-sectoral solutions to challenges of water scarcity, climate change, hunger and nutrition," FAO statement quoted minister having said in meeting.

He also reaffirmed India's commitment to fulfil aspirations of Asia-Pacific regional countries and share responsibility to ensure food security for all.

"Our 'neighbours first' policy will live up to aspirations of region with collaboration in exchange of best practices in R&D and programmatic interventions to step up production and productivity of agriculture produce," Rupala said.

minister also mentioned that government has opted a "flexible approach" for facilitating imports from or countries. Now, digital copies of phytosanitary certificates are being accepted to not disturb world food supply chain. According to FAO, global food systems are under stress due to compounding threat of pandemic on existing crises such as conflict, natural disasters, climate change, pests and plagues. COVID-19 has led to a setback in fight to end hunger and malnutrition. Food production and supply has been hit hard in many countries.

"We have recently presented FAO COVID-19 Response and Recovery Program, which aimed at preventing a global food emergency during and after COVID-19 pandemic while working on medium- to long-term development responses for food security and nutrition," said FAO Director-General Qu Dongyuhis in conference.

"In line with UN approach to "build back better," and in pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals, it aims to mitigate immediate impacts of pandemic while strengning future resilience of food systems and livelihoods," he ded.

conference also discussed new marketing channels (such as e-commerce) and new technologies (including better storage facilities) that will help reduce food losses, as se are critical to ensure flow of nutritious foods and to generate improved incomes for those who work across entire food and agriculture sectors.