Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted at the Kovalam International Conference on Agrarian Change in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, nutritionist and winner of the 2021 World Food Prize, called for a people-centred approach to food systems that can “nourish both people and the planet”.
Dr. Thilsted, who is currently the director of the Platform for Impact Areas on Nutrition, Health and Food Security, CGIAR, was speaking on the topic ‘Role of Science and Technology in Transforming Food Systems’ at the International Conference on Agrarian Change organized by the Foundation for Agrarian Studies (FAS) launched here in Kovalam on Thursday.
In her speech, she emphasized the need to work towards dietary diversity by leveraging food seasonality to ensure availability and affordability, and by combining new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) with traditional farming knowledge.
“By using big data and artificial intelligence without integrating indigenous knowledge and practices, we are missing out on much of the knowledge we have to ensure our food systems feed people,” said Dr. Thilsted. She also highlighted the importance of circular economy and upcycling of food systems on the way forward.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, whose pre-recorded inaugural address was played at the venue, described the Kerala government’s November 1 announcement on eradicating extreme poverty as having “the highest historical significance”.
“It is the culmination of a process that began with the Renaissance movement and a comprehensive change in agrarian relations,” Vijayan said. The state government is emphasizing on inculcating scientific temper in school and university curricula, he added.
S. Mahendra Dev, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), emphasized the importance of harnessing the progress made in science and technology to advance the agriculture sector.
Profound economic, technological, geopolitical and environmental changes at the global level have reshaped rural societies and agricultural systems in India and other developing countries, he said. He also emphasized the need for adaptation measures in the agricultural sector with regard to climate change.
Luciano Rezende Moreira, a professor at the Federal Institute in Rio de Janeiro, has drawn parallels between the agricultural systems of India and Brazil. He noted that in both countries it is time to reconcile technological progress with environmental protection, reducing dependence on chemical inputs and deforestation.
Cao Duc Phat, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam; Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, N. Ram, Director, The Hindu Group; Economist Madhura Swaminathan, State Planning Board Vice-Chairman VK Ramachandran and FAS Director Sandipan Baksi also spoke.
Held till November 9 at Hotel Uday Samudra, the international conference brings together economists, planning experts, agronomists, sociologists and environmental scientists, policy makers.
Published – 06 Nov 2025 21:41 IST
