Synopsis: India and Afghanistan expand agricultural cooperation by exploring joint initiatives in research, irrigation, seed technology, livestock, and capacity building to strengthen food security and sustainable farming.
There have been efforts on part of India and Afghanistan to boost cooperation between the two countries regarding agriculture through research, technology, irrigation, and livestock development. This has been achieved through bilateral talks between the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare of India, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and the Acting Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Ataullah Omari.
The talks were mainly oriented toward enhancing cooperation in the long term via science and other means of cooperation. It was decided that the two nations would strive toward setting up a Joint Working Group that would draw up an overall plan for future cooperation in the field of agriculture and livestock.
Some important sectors of collaboration that emerged from the deliberations included seed technology, irrigation management, climate-smart agriculture, agricultural research, and Agri-trade. The Afghan delegation conveyed its interest in capitalizing on India's capabilities for increasing the yield of wheat by adopting innovative seed technologies, agricultural research, and new-age agricultural techniques. Cooperation in horticulture, dairying, livestock rearing, fisheries, poultry, soil health, post-harvest management, and digital agriculture was also explored by both sides.
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India reiterated its commitment to help develop agriculture in Afghanistan through cooperation between ICAR and the agricultural institutions in Afghanistan. India has considered the extension of the memorandum of understanding signed between ICAR and the Afghan National Agricultural Science & Technology University until 2026. This partnership will involve joint research work, exchange of professors and students, laboratory facilities, and specialized training of scientists and veterinary officers, among others.
These discussions are a step in the direction taken by both the nations towards building their development-based cooperation in addition to improving food security and agriculture productivity. It is essential to remember that agriculture is an essential sector in the economy of Afghanistan.
Both sides' representatives said that the meeting was a productive effort to enhance their cooperation in agriculture. It is believed that by using the agricultural expertise of India along with the developmental goals of Afghanistan, the two nations will be able to increase agricultural productivity and develop sustainable agriculture. This effort is believed to lay down an effective structure for future cooperation.