This morning the Commonwealth Nations engaged in a contentious debate regarding funding newer agricultural technology to increase the rate and quantity at which underdeveloped nations generate crops. This proposed resolution by India included the implementation of water conservation as an example of technology implementation.
The idea of privileged nations handing away funding without any incentive was received with serious skepticism by nations such as Singapore and Malaysia. While Samoa agreed with the delegation of India to receive aid from nations like the United Kingdom, Singapore constantly countered by mentioning that there was no reason why developed nations would contribute just for the sake of humanity. While amending their resolution to gather as many votes as possible, India also reminded the committee that “India has agricultural technology, and developing nations might not have the tech but will have resources, that they can trade in their sources for the tech.”
Whether this so-called technology would be efficient, effective and affordable or not, South Africa questioned the purpose of this motion as a whole by asking, “Why should the money be spent on agricultural tech instead of governments spending it where they feel necessary?” India again insisted on spending more on agricultural infrastructure and the development of poorer nations, however, several delegates doubted if India could accommodate the needs of all Commonwealth Nations as they are currently struggling with their own hunger crisis.
While the first committee session of the day was spent circling this same topic with very little progress, the resolution was brought to a vote after several amendments and then proceeded to fail by the loss of the United Kingdom’s vote as the Head of Government of India could not include the amendment requested by the UK.
