India and Afghanistan have agreed to work towards establishing a joint working group to prepare a long-term roadmap for agriculture and livestock cooperation, as the two countries look to expand cooperation in areas ranging from seeds and irrigation to agricultural research and trade.
The decision was taken during bilateral talks between Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Afghan Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Maulvi Ataullah Omari in New Delhi on Wednesday.
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The Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement that the proposed group will work to facilitate regular institutional participation and identify new areas of cooperation based on the priorities of the two countries. The Afghan side has reportedly requested India’s support to improve wheat productivity through advanced seed technologies and research cooperation. In response, Chouhan said India is ready to support Afghanistan with high-quality wheat, maize and potato seeds, climate-resilient and bio-fortified crop varieties, and the scientific expertise of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Water management and climate-resilient agriculture were also discussed during the meeting. According to the statement, Afghanistan sought cooperation in irrigation, water harvesting and watershed development to address water scarcity and climate change. Chauhan said that India wants to share its experiences in the field of micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, construction of agricultural 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 have “very old and historical relations” and had “very cordial” discussions on deepening agricultural ties.
