New MoU signed to further agri cooperation

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Radha Mohan Singh has identified areas such as agriculture machinery, training, investment, institutional linkages, precision farming, cattle breeding and fisheries for expanding cooperation with Italy.

He has also highlighted initiatives taken by the Government in the field of agriculture market, soil health, irrigation, crop insurance etc.

Singh and Maurizio Martina, Italian Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies, also signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in Agriculture and Phytosanitary issues on 6 Dec 2017, replacing one signed in 2008.

Singh also highlighted India’s active association with International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) ever since it was set up in 1977 as the 13th specialized agency of the United Nations.

India is a founder member of IFAD, a key contributor among the member Countries, participates actively in the Fund’s governing bodies, and holds a permanent seat in IFAD Executive Board. It currently holds the chairmanship of the Governing Council and of the Evaluation Committee.

The Minister further said that he welcomes the new country strategy for IFAD engagement in India for the period 2018-2024, which proposes to strategically focus on ‘smallholder food and agricultural production systems that are remunerative, sustainable and resilient’ and achieving India’s goal of doubling farmers’ incomes.

Singh also appreciated IFAD plans to establish sub-regional hubs in New Delhi to serve as a sub-regional hub, covering Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives besides India.

This will significantly enhance opportunities for further investment, technology and knowledge cooperation, including South-South Technical Cooperation (SSTC).

India has contributed US$37 million in the 10th replenishment of IFAD for the period 2016-2018.

He further added that he looks forward to enhanced cooperation between India and IFAD in the coming years.

“Together, we can do much more by expanding the collaboration with the private sector, and to engage more systematically in South-South Technical Cooperation involving public and private organizations as well as farmers and their organizations,” he said.

Singh thanked the Italian Minister and his delegation for participating in the AGRIMACH India, 2017, being held 7-9 Dec 2017 in Delhi. fii-news.com