From subsidized staples to cheap credit and technology adoption, Indian food security success offers a blueprint for Nigeria.
Sanjay Jain, a prominent and popular Indian citizen living in Lagos, says Nigeria can learn from the Indian model to boost its food security and economic diversification.
“India's food security model has been attracting global attention,” he said.
He said, “Statistically the country is the most populous country in the world, yet we are self-reliant in food security. Leaders in different parts of the world often wonder how we achieved this feat.”
Jain, who is the president of Jain International Trade Organization (JITO), said India is the second largest producer of rice globally, the third largest producer of cotton and the leading producer of sugar.
He emphasized that India continued to selflessly export food products across the world, an achievement that proves that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in major food crops.
On agricultural mechanization and innovations, Jain pointed out that India's agricultural success even predates modern innovations like soilless farming.
'Before soilless farming, there was vertical farming, which was traditionally successful in countries with modest agricultural land.'
“This allows for many times higher yields and bountiful harvests than soilless farming, which is typically done in pots or water-supported environments.”
He acknowledged that although soilless farming currently gives lower yields in percentage terms, it is gaining momentum and may be more successful in the long run.
He emphasized that India remains a country largely dependent on agriculture and the government provides full support to this sector.
“Today, the Government of India provides various types of assistance to farmers and agro-industry,” he explained.
“As a result, we are not only self-reliant but also exporters of many agricultural products to other parts of the world,” he said.
Defining mechanized farming as the use of machines in land preparation and farming, Jain said modern technology has changed the efficiency of farming.
“Machines help farmers achieve better yields and maximize land utilization. Now every farmer benefits from mechanization, which ensures bountiful harvests and better returns on investment.”
“Farmers are achieving their highest yields through mechanized farming.”
He also highlighted India's seasonal farming structure: “In India, we have two major farming seasons. The first is Rabi, which runs from November to April, followed by Kharif, which runs from June to October.”
He explained that during the Kharif season, seeds are sown and later harvested for both domestic consumption and export, noting that some produce even have three cycles in a year.
Outlining the structure and global reach of JITO, he revealed that the organization is a global business and social networking platform.
“JITO is an international trade organization with offices in over 70 locations, including several international chapters.”
“It started in India 18 years ago and has grown into a strong global network of business communities.”
He explained that while corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are generally the domain of multinational corporations, JITO focuses on business facilitation and networking.
“We provide a platform for people to interact, seek guidance and connect with the right business partners,” he said.
Using Nigeria as an example, he said: “If a Nigerian wants to trade cashew nuts and is looking for a buyer, JITO connects that person to the right business partner. This applies to all types of agricultural and commercial products.”
He described the organization as a place where buyers and sellers meet.
He also described the organization as inclusive and family-centric.
“There is no discrimination. Whether you are Nigerian, Ugandan or Indian, we see ourselves as one family. That's the beauty of Zito,” he said.
On non-violence and social values, he said JITO also promotes physical well-being and moral life, organizing activities like Ahimsa Run – a run to highlight non-violence – the core principle that the Jain community follows.
He said Jeeto's message emphasizes peaceful co-existence and non-violence.
