In a move toward strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Australia, Philip Green, the Australian High Commissioner to India, visited Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi. The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in agriculture and related sectors to strengthen the two countries’ partnership.
India’s Agricultural Priorities and Key Initiatives
During the meeting, the importance of the longstanding partnership between India and Australia was emphasized, particularly in the agricultural sector. India’s current agricultural priorities was also highlighted, including efforts to ensure food security, increase farmers’ incomes, and improve nutritional security for the population.
Dr. Chaturvedi outlined key initiatives being pursued by the Indian government, including crop diversification, the promotion of agricultural exports, achieving self-sufficiency in oilseeds and pulses, and strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). He also spoke about the role of technological advancements, including precision agriculture, the Digital Agriculture Mission, and the mechanization of small farms, in driving modernization within the sector. Additionally, he acknowledged the increasing role of startups in innovating within agriculture.
Australia’s Agricultural Priorities and Areas of Interest
In turn, Philip Green stressed the importance of agriculture within Australia’s broader priorities and expressed interest in exploring further opportunities for collaboration in the agrotech sector. He noted that strengthening trade ties between India and Australia would play a key role in advancing shared agricultural goals. Green highlighted the need for continued engagement to identify new areas of cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors.
Identified Areas for Enhanced Cooperation
Both Dr. Chaturvedi and Green agreed on the importance of advancing collaboration in several areas, including agrotech, horticulture, digital agriculture, and agricultural machinery. These sectors, they noted, present significant opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
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Discussion Participants
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, representatives from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs. These participants contributed to the discussions, offering valuable insights on ways to enhance cooperation between India and Australia in agriculture.
