Onlykashmir.in News Desk
New Delhi, July 9: Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held a meeting with the Afghan Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, Maulvi Attaullah Omari, and his high-level delegation. They engaged in a detailed discussion on further strengthening agricultural cooperation between the two nations and establishing new partnerships across various sectors. Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and ICAR also attended the meeting.
Welcoming the Afghan delegation, Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that India and Afghanistan share centuries-old civilizational, historical, and people-to-people ties. He reaffirmed that India will continue to support the development of Afghanistan’s agricultural sector, food security, and the prosperity of its farmers. He emphasized that India is fully prepared to share its modern agricultural technology, scientific expertise, research institutions, and successful experiences with Afghanistan.
During the meeting, an agreement was reached to enhance cooperation in several fields, including:
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Food security, high-quality seeds (wheat, maize, and potato).
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Climate-resilient crops and bio-fortified varieties.
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Irrigation, rainwater harvesting, watershed management, micro-irrigation, farm ponds, and check dams.
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Animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, fisheries, and horticulture.
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Animal health, post-harvest management, soil fertility, digital agriculture, agricultural research, agricultural education, capacity building, and agricultural trade.
The Indian Minister stated that special measures would be taken through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for joint research projects, exchange of scientists, teachers, and students, laboratory cooperation, training programs, and capacity building for agricultural experts. He noted that the transfer of modern research and technology could significantly improve agricultural productivity in Afghanistan.
Afghan Minister Maulvi Attaullah Omari appreciated India’s continued support for Afghanistan’s agricultural sector. He expressed that his country is keen to collaborate further with India to increase wheat production, ensure the availability of quality seeds, modernize irrigation systems, develop animal husbandry, promote agricultural education and research, facilitate technology transfer, and encourage agribusiness and private sector participation.
Both parties also agreed to promote trade in agricultural commodities, quality seeds, and value-added products, strengthen ties between their respective private sectors, and facilitate access to new markets for Afghan agricultural products.
It was decided during the meeting that a Joint Working Group would be formed to ensure long-term cooperation in the fields of agriculture and animal husbandry. This group will develop a comprehensive roadmap based on mutual priorities and foster ongoing communication between the institutions of both countries.
Concluding the meeting, Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed hope that these talks would not only strengthen the long-standing friendly relations between India and Afghanistan but also create new opportunities for agriculture, food security, research, innovation, technology transfer, and the prosperity of farmers.
