During a special exhibition organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers” Welfare at IARI Campus, Pusa, the spouses of G20 member countries had the opportunity to explore India”s agricultural expertise. The event showcased various captivating components, including a live cooking session centered around millets, led by celebrity chefs Kunal Kapur, Anahita Dhondy, and Ajay Chopra. It also featured cutting-edge agricultural technology from prominent Indian startups, interactions with Indian women agri-champions, and an “Agri-Street” experience.

Before visiting the exhibition area, the spouses made a brief stop at the “Rangoli Area,” where two impressive “Millet Rangolis” adorned the space. These intricate artworks were crafted using millet grains and local Indian motifs. The first rangoli depicted the theme of “Harmony of Harvest,” highlighting India”s rich agricultural traditions and the significant role of women in enhancing agricultural resilience. It featured indigenous toys, millets, and rustic terracotta pots, emphasising women”s diverse contributions to agriculture. The second rangoli conveyed India”s cultural philosophy of “The World is One Family,” underscoring global unity and India”s crucial role in global food security.

Within the exhibition area, the spouses explored the dynamic Agri-startup ecosystem, where 15 Agri-startups showcased innovative tech solutions addressing ground-level agricultural challenges and digitising agriculture. Themes such as Climate Smart Agriculture, Innovation in Agriculture Value Chain, Agri-logistics and Supply Chains, Quality Assurance for Sustainable Consumption, and Millets: Sustaining Health, Empowering Agriculture were covered in the exhibition.

Additionally, members of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from across the nation displayed a range of edible products aligned with the theme “Empowering Rural Prosperity through Collective Agriculture.”

A highlight of the event was a captivating “Live Cooking Session” featuring a variety of millet-based culinary delights. This event celebrated the International Year of Millets and was led by renowned chefs Kunal Kapur, Anahita Dhondy, and Ajay Chopra, along with culinary experts from the ITC Group. They prepared a “full course meal” with a special focus on millets, including appetisers, salads, main courses, and desserts. The exhibition also included a dedicated culinary section showcasing millet-based dishes from all G20 member countries.

Furthermore, the exhibition showcased India”s Research and Development achievements through stalls presented by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). These stalls demonstrated the latest innovations in precision agriculture, agricultural technology, and mechanisation advancements that are driving sector growth. Each stall highlighted specific crop advancements supported by government initiatives, covering topics like the Basmati revolution, the significance of Indian spices, the potential of mushrooms, and sensor-based systems for monitoring environmental conditions during the transportation and storage of agricultural products.

This exhibition provided an opportunity to showcase India”s agricultural prowess and R&D achievements as the country hosted the two-day G20 Leaders” Summit at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in the national capital, Pragati Maidan.