Addressing the joint India-UK meet on “Sustaining Food Production under Environmental Stress”, through virtual mode, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh called for collaboration between the two nations on issues of mutual concern like achieving the goals of food security and zero hunger.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, India and UK must invite global collaborations in various dimensions of science like agriculture, medicine, food, pharma, engineering or defense. The Workshop is being organized jointly by National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali, an institute under Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and University of Birmingham, UK and supported by Newton Bhabha Fund and British Council.

Underlining that the global pattern of food production and distribution may need to shift significantly as climate change progresses, Dr Jitendra Singh called for joint funding to develop a coherent and stakeholder-relevant R&D program that will address this challenge.

The Minister suggested evolving important key areas in agriculture, food and nutrition to be taken by the two countries for joint research plans.