Food security as important as energy security: PM in Muscat

Food security is going to become a major global challenge in the coming years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the India-Oman Business Summit on Thursday and urged business communities of the two sides to take their partnership to the next level through collaborations in key areas.

- Rajeev Jayaswal

While urging them to launch five major joint green energy projects in the next five years, he said in Hindi: “Food security is as important as energy security. This is going to become a major global challenge in the future. Can we, together, create an India-Oman Agri Innovation Hub? This will strengthen Oman’s food security and help India's agri-tech to reach the global market.” Oman is actively pursuing policies to ensure sustainable food security as part of its ‘Vision 2040’ with significant success.

The PM emphasised his idea to boost innovation through joint efforts. “Agriculture is just one sector. Similarly, it is important to promote innovation in every sector,” he said. “Can we establish an ‘Oman-India Innovation Bridge?’ We must resolve to connect 200 Indian and Omani startups over the next two years,” he added.