The city will host the prestigious World Agriculture Congress in November this year.
In a press release, the Chief Minister’s office (CMO) claimed that as per the invitation of N Kiran Kumar Reddy and unstinted efforts of the State Government officials, the World Congress Forum has decided to host the mega global event of World Agriculture Congress (WAC-2013 at Hyderabad in November.
This was in response to a proposal from the Chairman of World Agricultural Forum’s Board, James. B. Bolger, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, who himself was a farmer.
In connection with the WAC-2013, WAF chairman Dr Kenneth M Baker and WAF’s Board Member Ms Evie are currently on a visit to Hyderabad for detailed discussions with Principal Secretary, Agriculture and other officials and stakeholders regarding selection of theme, dates, venue and other issues had a meeting with the Chief Minister and other officials at Secretariat.
The broad theme for the WAC-2013 is likely to be ‘Reshaping Agriculture for the benefit of small and marginal farmers’. About 500 to 600 high-profile delegates including government leaders, administrators, eminent academicians, CEOs of industry, farmers, functionaries of development organisation etc., are expected to attend WAC from all parts of the world.
It is for the first time that WAC is going to held in India at Hyderabad. The primary objective of the World Agriculture Congress-2013 is to discuss with all key stakeholders such as farmers’ organisations, industry, government key leaders, scientists etc. on ‘how to reshape and reposition small farm-holder agriculture in order to make farming economically viable and improve farmers’ income’ in the era of WTO regime. The WAC-2013 is also expected to provide a policy direction to the developing countries on how to reshape agricultural policy in order to make farming viable and attractive profession, based o sharing of inter-country experiences
The Chief Minister has thanked the WAF Chairman for selecting Hyderabad as the venue for the World Agricultural Congress (WAC-2013). He assured that the State Government would fully support the event.
The Chief Minister asked the State officials to make out a detailed paper on all these and send to the World Agricultural Forum for advance preparations. Agriculture Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana, Coooperation Minister Kasu Krishna Reddy, Chief Secretary Pankaj Dwivedi, Principal Secretaries (Agriculrure), V Nagi Reddy and I Y R Krishna Rao, Commissioner, Agriculture, Usha Rani, Additional Secretary to CM, Sreedhar and other officials attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister or President of India could be invited to inaugurate the conference and said he would write a letter to them in this regard and the WAF also should address a letter to them. Government of India and particularly the Union Ministry of Agriculture would also be involved in the WAC.
It is also expected that 2013 WAC will bring agriculture and farmers’ issues especially of small farm-holder into main focal point once again to alert the governments to take right measures for making farming viable through reshaping agriculture. The Chief Minister has directed Principal Secretary (Agriculture) and other officials to initiate steps for organising this prestigious event. (INN)