A major diplomatic conference organized by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, at his residence in Delhi involved Nepal’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Dr. Madan Prasad Pariyar, and State Minister of Maldives for Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Ahmad Hassan Didi. In these talks, the three countries focused on developing trilateral relations beyond the realm of formal diplomacy and into the realm of emotional and cultural affinities.
Technical know-how and innovation exchange was one major aspect of the meeting. Minister Chouhan assured the world of the exchange of technical know-how and innovation as the minister disclosed that the cutting-edge research carried out by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in Pusa will be shared between Nepal and the Maldives. To ensure immediate productivity targets, the Indian government assured Nepal of an adequate supply of cut-edge seeds resistant to climatic changes to enhance crop production.
The dialogue has revitalized the existing frameworks of cooperation, and the ministers examined the present Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between India and Nepal. There was a clear agreement to expand its scope to include more robust joint research projects. Moreover, the Joint Working Group formed during the BIMSTEC summit has been recognized to act as the major vehicle for streamlining these projects and ensuring results for agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
An in-depth focus was given to the specific needs of the Maldives, considering its special agroclimatic conditions, such as saline soils and unutilized arable land, keeping in view specific assistance that would be given to the Maldives, including specialized training and research on seeds that may do well in tropical and island conditions, thus encouraging self-sufficiency in food production.
Some of the highest officials in the field, including ICAR Director General Dr. M. L. Jat, concluded with a consensus and confirmation that there is the need for the development and controlling of livestock. This collaboration is capable of boosting food security and empowering South Asia and the Indian Ocean region economically.
