Bill Gates says India gives him “hope for the future” because it has successfully overcome major challenges such as poverty, hunger and disease.

The Microsoft Co-founder, who has traveled to Africa several times to address issues related to climate change and global health, believes India’s approach to innovation and solutions at scale can be a model for tackling today’s biggest challenges.

In a blog post, the philanthropist highlighted the connection between climate change and global health, noting that they are inextricably linked.

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Higher temperatures caused by climate change can lead to increased food insecurity, infectious diseases and poverty, particularly in vulnerable communities. To break this cycle, Gates said, progress must be made on both fronts simultaneously.

He quoted the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Pusa as an example of how innovative approaches can address these challenges. Researchers at IARI developed chickpea varieties that are more drought-resistant and produce higher yields, which is crucial for small farmers and families who rely on their diet.

The new varieties will help India continue to feed its growing population and support its farmers even as climate change threatens crop yields.

Gates also praised India’s approach to scaling solutions, highlighting various achievements including:

• eradicate polio
• Reducing HIV transmission rates
• reduce poverty
• reducing child mortality and
• Improving access to sanitation and financial services.

In a show of support for India’s innovative approach, Gates said he will travel to India next week to witness the advances being made by innovators and entrepreneurs. He schedules a meeting with Breakthrough Energy Fellow Vidyut Mohan and his team turning waste into biofuels and fertilizers in remote farming communities, and seeing firsthand IARI’s efforts to create more…