India Holds Agriculture Cooperation Talks With Nepal & Maldives

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Feb 6 (KNN) India held discussions with Nepal and Maldives to strengthen cooperation in the agriculture sector, with a focus on research, advanced seeds, livestock development and agro-climatic adaptation.

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Nepal's Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Dr. Madan Prasad Pariyar and Maldives' State Minister for Agriculture and Animal Welfare Ahmad Hassan Didi at his residence in New Delhi.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including ICAR Director General Dr. M. L. Jat and representatives from the Maldives government.

During the meeting, the Union Minister said India shares close and longstanding ties with both Nepal and Maldives, and that cooperation in agriculture remains an important pillar of these relationships. Discussions covered agricultural research, availability of advanced seed varieties, livestock development, soil health and region-specific agro-climatic conditions.

It was stated that outcomes of advanced agricultural research being undertaken at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Pusa, would be extended to support agricultural development in Nepal and Maldives. India also assured the supply of advanced variety seeds to Nepal to improve productivity and resilience.

The minister noted that an existing Memorandum of Understanding between India and Nepal on agricultural research is already facilitating collaboration in several areas, and both sides agreed to further expand its scope. Livestock-related cooperation, including research and development, was also discussed.

The formation of a Joint Working Group between India and Nepal during the BIMSTEC summit was highlighted as a mechanism to further strengthen and monitor bilateral agricultural cooperation. With Maldives, discussions focused on cooperation in soil management, seed development, training and research, tailored to the country's specific agro-climatic conditions.

According to the ministry, the discussions reflect a shared commitment to enhancing agricultural cooperation, food security and sustainable development among the three countries through closer institutional and technical collaboration.

(KNN Bureau)

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