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India, Afghanistan agree to form joint working group to boost agriculture, livestock cooperation
The report said the Afghan side requested India’s support to improve wheat productivity through advanced seed technologies and research collaboration.
Hindustan Times has reported that India and Afghanistan have agreed to work towards establishing a Joint Working Group to prepare a long-term roadmap for cooperation in the agriculture and livestock sectors, as both countries seek to expand collaboration in areas including seeds, irrigation, agricultural research and agri-trade.
According to the report, the decision was made during bilateral talks held in New Delhi on Wednesday between India’s Union Minister of Agriculture, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Afghanistan’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Ataullah Omari.
The proposed Joint Working Group will facilitate regular institutional engagement and identify new areas of cooperation based on the priorities of both countries, India’s Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement.
The report said the Afghan side requested India’s support to improve wheat productivity through advanced seed technologies and research collaboration.
In response, Chouhan said India was prepared to support Afghanistan by providing quality wheat, maize and potato seeds, climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties, as well as scientific expertise from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Water management and climate-resilient agriculture were also discussed during the meeting. According to the ministry’s statement, Afghanistan sought cooperation in irrigation, water harvesting and watershed development to address water scarcity and the impacts of climate change.
Chouhan said India was willing to share its expertise in micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, farm ponds, check dams and efficient water-use technologies.
The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in agricultural research, education and capacity building.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chouhan said India and Afghanistan share “very old and historic relations” and described the discussions on strengthening agricultural cooperation as “very friendly.”