In connection with the WAC-2013, Dr. Kenneth M.Baker, Chairman of WAF and Ms. Evie, WAF's Board Member who are currently visiting Hyderabad (23rd to 26th April 2012) for detailed discussions with Principal Secretary, Agriculture and other officials and stakeholders regarding selection of theme, dates, venue and other issues had a meeting with the Chief Minister and other officials at Secretariat.

The broad theme for the WAC-2013 is likely to be 'Reshaping Agriculture for the benefit of small and marginal farmers'. About 500 to 600 high-profile delegates including government leaders, administrators, eminent academicians, CEOs of industry, farmers, functionaries of development organisation etc., are expected to attend WAC from all parts of the world.

It is for the first time that WAC is going to held in India at Hyderabad under the leadership of the Chief Minister Mr.N. Kiran Kumar Reddy. The primary objective of the World Agriculture Congress-2013 is to discuss with all key stakeholders such as farmers' organisations, industry, government key leaders, scientists etc. on 'how to reshape and reposition small farm-holder agriculture in order to make farming economically viable and improve farmers' income' in the era of WTO regime. The WAC-2013 is also expected to provide a policy direction to the developing countries on how to reshape agricultural policy in order to make farming viable and attractive profession, based o sharing of inter-country experiences

The Chief Minister told the WAF Chairman “I thank you for selecting Hyderabad as the venue for the World Agricultural Congress (WAC-2013). Our Government will fully support the Congress. We are ready to host as many delegates as required. You have selected the best and most suitable place in India. Andhra Pradesh continues to be a leading agricultural State in the country. Even now 65 to 70% of our people depend on agriculture and allied sectors. Our fish and egg production is the highest in the country. We have a record food production. We provide maximum incentives to the farmers like free power, interest free crop loans up to Rs.1 lakh, crop insurance, input subsidy etc. We take care of farmers problems. Hence Andhra Pradesh could be a role model in helping farmers in the world”.

The Chief Minister asked the State officials to make out a detailed paper on all these and send to the World Agricultural Forum for advance preparations. Minister for Agriculture, Kanna Lakshminarayana, Minister for Cooperation, Kasu Krishna Reddy, Chief Secretary Pankaj Dwivedi, Principal Secretaries (Agriculrure), V Nagi Reddy and I Y R Krishna Rao, Commissioner, Agriculture, Usha Rani, Additional Secretary to CM, Sreedhar and other officials attended the meeting.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister or President of India could be invited to inaugurate the conference and said he would write a letter to them in this regard and the WAF also should address a letter to them. Government of India and particularly the Union Ministry of Agriculture would also be involved in the WAC.

It is also expected that 2013 WAC will bring agriculture and farmers' issues especially of small farm-holder into main focal point once again to alert the governments to take right measures for making farming viable through reshaping agriculture. The Chief Minister has directed Mr. V.Nagi Reddy, Principal Secretary, Agriculture and other officials to initiate steps for organising this prestigious event.

The Chief Minister also said the WAC should focus on what is really going to help the farmers world over. It should also focus on how agriculture should be made attractive to the youth. He said he has taken up this issue with the Planning Commission during his recent discussion with the Deputy Chairman. The Chief Minister said “Agriculture should be made remunerative and attractive so that youth should take it up. Land holdings in India are small. Bigger the family becomes, smaller goes the land holdings. Hence the WAC should focus on small and marginal famers in particular. He also mentioned that Hyderabad is the venue for Global Biodiversity Conference. Heads of countries from 8 to 9 nations and 8,000 delegates from 194 countries would be attending the Global meet.

The Chief Minister mentioned to the WAF Chairman that Women empowerment in Andhra Pradesh is very strong and that financial management of rural women groups are excellent and they get about Rs.10,000 crs bank loans.

Agriculture Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana said that application of Information Technology in agriculture should also be focussed during the Congress. He wanted ‘Lab to Land’ as a focal theme.

The WAF is the only neutral, inclusive forum that allows for comprehensive discussion and examination of current and developing domestic and global agricultural policy. The WAF also provides the here-to-fore missing point of interaction between global leaders and decision makers from all facets or agriculture-finance, research, production, technology, government, processing, distribution, consumers, academia, public policy, manufacturing and advocacy.

The vision of the WAF is to act as the catalyst to advance solutions as the agricultural industry seeks to meet the growing need for food, fuel and fibre in an environmentally sustainable manner. The mission of the WAF is to provide a neutral, inclusive forum for the ongoing discussion and debate of crucial agricultural issues and policies, leading to solutions and better informed decision-making by global leaders in all disciplines; from academia and industry to government and advocacy.