New Delhi, Dec 22: The two-day International Diaspora Conference organised by the Foundation for Critical Choices for India (FCCI) at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, focused on strengthening global collaboration to support India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, with agriculture, sustainability, and investment emerging as key pillars.
Addressing the conference, FCCI President Jasbir Singh reiterated FCCI’s commitment to facilitating knowledge exchange and international cooperation, particularly in the agricultural sector. He welcomed the initiative proposed by leading farmer associations to collaborate with FCCI for gaining technical expertise and global exposure. “Knowledge exchange and technological cooperation are essential for the future of Indian agriculture. FCCI will extend all possible support to enable meaningful collaboration that benefits Indian farmers,” Singh said.
Former Ambassador to the Netherlands Bhaswati Mukherjee highlighted the critical role of the Indian diaspora in promoting India as a preferred destination for business and investment. Emphasising India’s strengths, she said, “The Indian diaspora must be actively engaged to communicate India’s potential as a destination for business and investment.” She also pointed to healthcare as a high-growth area, noting that “sectors such as medical tourism can flourish, as India is able to provide quality healthcare services within shorter timeframes compared to the West.” Welcoming institutional initiatives, she added that she was pleased to see FCCI collaborating across multiple areas that promise mutual benefits.
Speaking on industry and sustainability, Pramod Agarwal, Vice President of FICCI, underscored the vast opportunities within the textile sector. He noted that by-products and waste generated from cotton production could be effectively transformed and utilised across various sustainability initiatives. “The textile sector has immense potential to contribute to a more sustainable and circular economy,” Agarwal said.
The conference also featured strong voices from the farming community, highlighting the urgent need for technological advancement in Indian agriculture. Gunvant Patil, General Secretary of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), stressed that many farmers continue to rely on outdated inputs. “Indian farmers urgently need technological innovation to accelerate development. Better-quality seeds and improved crop enhancement techniques are essential to increase productivity across crops such as cotton, rice, and wheat,” he said.
Echoing these views, Guni Prakash of the Bhartiya Kisan Coordination Committee (BKCC) emphasised the importance of international exposure. He stated that discussions are underway with FCCI to facilitate a technology-focused visit to the Netherlands for farmer associations, particularly from Punjab and Haryana, to learn about advanced agricultural practices and modern farming technologies.
The proposed collaboration between FCCI and farmer associations, including AIKCC and BKCC, is seen as a significant step towards bridging the technology gap in Indian agriculture. By fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange, the initiative aims to strengthen productivity, sustainability, and long-term growth in the agricultural sector, aligning with India’s broader development goals for 2047.
