G20 Agriculture Working Group (AWG) International Symposium on Sustainable Livestock Transformation at NDDB, Anand, July 18–19, 2023.

Anand: The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Govt of India; National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) & Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are jointly organising an International Symposium on Sustainable Livestock Transformation under Agriculture Working Group (AWG) of G20 at NDDB, Anand, Gujarat during 18-19 July, 2023.

Welcoming all delegates Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB said that Anand has been the place where the journey of transforming India from deficiency to self-sufficiency and to the largest milk producer in the world through cooperative strategies was scripted. He said that the symposium deliberations will help disseminate various innovations in animal husbandry sector for sustainable transformation.

The symposium will generate evidence for actions towards transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, nutrition, environment and life, leaving no one behind, thus contributing to achieving the SDGs.

G20 delegates, agriculture attaché, delegates from Embassies, representatives of national and international organisations of repute like WHO, FAO, WOAH, IDF, ILRI, World Bank etc, Central and State Government officials, scientists, veterinarians, progressive farmers, members of dairy cooperatives and sector leaders are expected to attend the symposium.

Chairman, NDDB informed that the W20 event, as part of G20, will be organised by NDDB in collaboration with GCMMF (Amul). The event theme Jan Bhagidari – Women-led Sustainable Development through Dairy Cooperatives will showcase the contribution of women in cooperative dairying. Women members of cooperatives/producer organisations will share their journey of resilience.

Shri Jayen Mehta, Managing Director, GCMMF (Amul) said that this is a moment of privilege for us at Amul including our millions of women farmer owners, whose resilience has made Amul the biggest FMCG organisation in India, to be the institutional partner of W20 event with NDDB and DAHD at Anand, the milk capital of India in presence of hundreds of women milk producers of India.

The sessions will celebrate and highlight the remarkable contribution of women. The discussions will focus on women empowerment and further give fillip to representation of women in every sector. The philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future remains at the centre of this event.

The primary objective of W20 is to ensure that gender considerations are mainstreamed into G20 discussions and translated into the G20 Leaders’ Declaration as policies and commitments that foster gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. W20, under India’s presidency, is committed to its vision – To create a world of equality & equity where every woman lives with dignity. The Mission of W20 is – Remove all barriers to women led development and ensure enabling environment and ecosystem for women to thrive, transcend and transform their lives as well as others.