India steps up agricultural cooperation with Malaysia, Timor-Leste and Myanmar
India is strengthening agricultural partnerships with Malaysia, Timor-Leste and Myanmar through cooperation in research, technology, trade, expertise and food security.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the three ASEAN countries on September 9 on the sidelines of the 9th ASEAN–India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AIMMAF) held in New Delhi on September 8-9.
NEW DELHI: India is seeking to deepen agricultural cooperation with Malaysia, Timor-Leste and Myanmar, with a focus on research, innovation, technology, trade and food security.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the three ASEAN countries on September 9 on the sidelines of the 9th ASEAN–India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AIMMAF) held in New Delhi on September 8-9.
India-Malaysia cooperation
Chouhan met Mohamed Bin Sabu, Malaysia’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, and discussed strengthening cooperation in agricultural research, technology and innovation.
Both sides expressed interest in establishing an institutional framework through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering areas of mutual interest in agriculture and allied sectors.
The two ministers also discussed germplasm exchange, trade and market access, with both sides emphasising mutual cooperation to further strengthen the India-Malaysia agricultural partnership.
Timor-Leste seeks Indian expertise
During his meeting with Marcos Da Cruz, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry of Timor-Leste, Chouhan reiterated India’s willingness to share its agricultural best practices and support the country in strengthening research and innovation capabilities.
The discussions focused on exchange of scientists and experts as well as human resource development.
Timor-Leste also expressed interest in India deputing a team of technical and scientific experts to assess ground-level challenges and provide recommendations in agriculture, forestry, livestock and aquaculture.
Agriculture ties with Myanmar
Chouhan also met Min Naung, Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Myanmar.
The two sides noted the longstanding cultural and people-to-people relationship between India and Myanmar and discussed the progress of an MoU on cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors, which is at an advanced stage of finalisation.
The ministers explored opportunities to expand agricultural trade, particularly in pulses, cotton, dairy development and agricultural education. Myanmar also highlighted investment opportunities as a means of strengthening economic and agricultural ties.
The meetings were held in connection with the 9th AIMMAF organised by the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Senior officials from DARE, ICAR and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare participated in the discussions.
