February 6, 2019
The agreement provides for cooperation in agriculture census, agribusiness, integrated farming system, irrigation system, seed and soil health management
The nations will also partner on agricultural research and innovation, capacity building of agribusiness, aiding entrepreneurs in food security and nutrition
In 2018, Maldives attended an agricultural experts’ summit of the SAARC nation in India that focussed on the impact of climate change on agricultural activities
In Dec 2018, Indian cabinet had approved the Agriculture Export Policy, 2018. Agricultural and food export was estimated at US$21.6 billion during April-Oct 2018
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on February 6 approved a preliminary agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resource and Agriculture, Maldives. The agreement, which will allow cooperation to improve the ecosystem for agribusiness, was signed on first signed in December, 2018, during the state visit of President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to India. The deal provides for cooperation in agriculture census, agribusiness, integrated farming system, irrigation system, seed and soil health management.
The nations will also partner on agricultural research and innovation, capacity building of agribusiness, enhancing knowledge of entrepreneurs in the areas of food security and nutrition, developing climate resilient agriculture system, establishing facilities to test pesticide residues, among others. Under the agreement, a joint working group will be constituted to implement the tasks. Diplomatic initiatives by India are beginning to change the approach towards global partnerships in agriculture research and development. Last year, Maldives had attended an agricultural experts’ summit of the SAARC nations.
The agenda of the event was to discuss ways and means of addressing the impact of climate change on agricultural activities and adaptation measures for climate resilient agrarian practices and technologies. India has spared no multinational platform — ASEAN, SAARC or BRICS — to make the point that the key to global food security, more importantly nutritional food security, lays in research and development in the field of agriculture and allied services. In December 2018, Indian cabinet had approved the Agriculture Export Policy, 2018. Agricultural and food export was estimated at US$21.6 billion during April-Oct 2018.