Lok Sabha Question No. 1648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-08
Subject: Foreign Cooperation in Agriculture Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE, SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1648

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH   MARCH, 2016

## FOREIGN COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR

1648.  SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE: SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  signed  any  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  with various  foreign  countries  for  cooperation  in  the  field  of  agriculture  and  allied  sectors  in  the recent past;
- (b) if so, the details and the salient features thereof, country-wise;
- (c) the details of ongoing pilot projects in cooperation with foreign countries in the country;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to sign any MoU with such countries in food storage, preservation and irrigation technology and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the extent to which the agriculture and allied sectors are likely to be benefited from such MoU?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्राऱय में राज्य मंत्री (SHRI  MOHANBHAI  KUNDARIYA)

- (a) & (b): Yes,  Madam.  During last five  years,  Ministry  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers Welfare has signed 11 MoUs/Agreements with foreign countries for cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sector.  Details of these MoUs/Agreements are as under:-

| Year             | Country(s)                           |
|------------------|--------------------------------------|
| 2011             | Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh; |
| 2012             | Sri Lanka, Australia, Vietnam        |
| 2013             | --                                   |
| 2014             | Morocco, Vietnam                     |
| 2015             | Mongolia                             |
| 2016 (till date) | Armenia, Madagascar                  |

The area for cooperation in these MoUs/Agreements inter-alia include cooperation in research and  development,  increasing productivity,  post-harvest  management,  value addition/food processing, plant protection, animal husbandry,  dairying and  fisheries, enhancing  trade,  mutual  exchange  visits  of scientist, mutual   exchange   of  technical

expertise,  exchange  of  Germ-plasm,  transfer  of  technology,  setting  up  of  centres  of excellence in different fields to demonstrate new technologies etc.

(c): Based on the areas agreed for cooperation between two countries, a Work Plan is prepared from time to time to incorporate project proposal as per mutual requirements.

(d): At present Government doesn't have any proposal for signing a new MOU with these countries.

(e): Benefits accruing from such Agreements/MoUs are in the nature of capacity building, knowledge  exchange  through  visits  of  scientists  and  technicians,  exchange  of  genetic resources, etc.  that aid in development of appropriate technologies and farm practices for enhancing  agriculture  productivity  at  farmers'  field.    Such  cooperation  also  facilitates creation of opportunities for trade in agricultural commodities.  India's strategic interests are also served through partnerships with other countries.

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