India, New Zealand to enhance cooperation in agriculture

India and New Zealand in a high level delegation level discussion today in the capital agreed to improve cooperation to reach out solutions on a range of issues in the development of agrarian sector.

The meeting was headed by the Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar, who proposed an “umbrella agreement” in the agriculture sector including Bio-Security, Fisheries, food processing, and horticulture.

The Ministry of Agriculture of India and New Zealand are committed to offer technology as well as research related developments, which can further facilitate the agriculture and encourage trade between two countries.

Mr. Jim Anderton, the agriculture minister of New Zealand who is on a visit to India on the invitation of his counterpart Sharad Pawar is expected to sign some MoU on the farm sector and other allied activities. Both countries have identified several possible areas of cooperation between two countries such as agriculture, horticulture, environment and other related areas.

Phytosanitary issues relating to trade in plants and animal products, engagement of private sector of both the countries and exchange of information in the areas of mutual interests were also the subjects of discussion.

In another possible agreement Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Land Care Research and Massey University, New Zealand are likely to sign a MoU to enhance research related activities. Both countries already have a MoU on plant quarantine issues.