By IANS,
London : Britain’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries Richard Benyon has appreciated the India800 Foundation’s approach at a UK showcase for the Delhi-based charity at the House of Lords here.
The charity invests in scientific and technological research to provide affordable, practical solutions to the problems of the 800 million Indians who live on less than two dollars a day, said a release.
The event Monday was jointly hosted by the Indo-British All Party Parliamentary Group and EMF – a Social Justice Foundation.
The minister singled out India800’s achievements in agriculture and food security, which include major water conservation projects, the introduction of new solar energy and composting technologies, animal husbandry services, and the establishment of seed banks, all delivered through local partners working on the ground in India.
“We need to increase global food production to end hunger, ensuring sustainable and stable supplies, while decreasing the impact on the environment,” he said.
“This is not something that can be done from any minister’s desk – it requires a local application and local expertise. The world population is heading for nine billion, and we have to use science and technology to improve people’s lives. The kind of partnership forged by the India800 Foundation is precisely the way to tackle poverty in the future.”
India800 is presently focusing on bringing about social change through a number of health, agriculture, sustainable energy, education and economic projects.