India, Colombia to partner in agriculture, fisheries

Under the partnership, approved by India’s Union Cabinet, India and Colombia will cooperate in innovative agricultural practices and sciences as well as new agricultural mechanisations

December 15, 2017

The collaboration will test models of agricultural marketing as well as innovative production models and business opportunities in horticulture (vegetables, fruits and flowers)

The countries will develop projects in association with agricultural companies for production of seed, along with exchange and training of experts to augment capabilities

The countries will partner in small and large ruminants (cattle, sheep, goat) and pigs productivity, diseases and diagnostics, along with marine industrial fishing and aquaculture

Beyond food, bilateral deals between the countries have expanded to information technology, oil and gas, urban development, defence, health, sports and geological research

India’s Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and Colombia in the field of agriculture and fisheries, as per an official announcement on December 15th. The agreement involves cooperation in innovative agricultural practices and approaches as well as new agricultural mechanisations. The countries will also develop projects in association with agricultural companies for production of seed. The collaboration will test models of agricultural marketing as well as innovative production models and business opportunities in horticulture (vegetables, fruits and flowers). The agreement includes exchange and training of experts to augment capabilities and resources for future.

India and Colombia will expand partnership in research on sources of biodiesel and gum as well as in oil seeds and oil palm. The MoU also covers marine industrial fishing and aquaculture, along with research and training in fisheries. The countries will also hold partnership in small and large ruminants (cattle, sheep, goat) and pigs productivity, diseases and diagnostics. This opens up opportunities for meat and pork processing. The MoU will help diversify Colombia’s agricultural production from the main produces that include coffee, cocoa and rubber. Under the MoU, a joint-working group will be constituted to prepare a work plan for the next two years. The MoU will be initially valid for a period of five years and shall be automatically extended for a subsequent periods of five years.

With gross cropped area of around 194.4 million hectares and cropping intensity of 139 per cent, along with a total of 127 agro-climatic zones, India is one of the world’s top agricultural producer. The country also has vast and growing industries related to meat, meat processing, poultry, marine products and dairy products. In comparison, Colombia, which is about twice the size of France, currently uses only about 33 percent of its cultivable land. The partnership with India may provide Colombia with necessary crop sciences, technology, infrastructure and finances to boost the sector. Beyond food, bilateral deals between the countries have expanded with agreements in the fields of information technology, oil and gas, urban development, defence, health, sports and geological research.

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