Mar 20: The meeting was chaired by co-chaired by Ms. AlkaUpadhyay, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ms. Silvia Bender, State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). Cooperation in digital agriculture, seeds sector, mechanization & technology, horticulture sector, animal husbandry and fisheries were discussed in detail.
The 8th India-Germany Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting on Agriculture was co-chaired by Ms. AlkaUpadhyay, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Ms. Silvia Bender, State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), on 19th March 2025 at the National Agricultural Science Complex, PUSA, New Delhi.
In her welcome address, Ms. Upadhyay underscored the strong ties between India and Germany, highlighting the robust collaboration on global issues and the strategic partnership nurtured through the Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) since 2011. She emphasized the significance of cooperation in the agricultural sector, particularly in digital technologies, and noted the impressive agricultural trade between the two nations. She also pointed out ongoing collaborations in agroecology, seed production, and sustainable practices, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening ties and exploring new avenues for agricultural cooperation.
Ms. Silvia Bender expressed Germany’s deep appreciation for its partnership with India and reaffirmed the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, especially in agriculture and allied sectors. She acknowledged the common challenges faced by both countries and stressed the importance of working together to find innovative solutions. She further reiterated Germany’s readiness to share its experience and vision to enhance cooperation in agriculture.
Mr. Ajeet Kumar Sahu provided an insightful overview of India’s agricultural achievements, emphasizing its pivotal role in both domestic and global food security. He highlighted the government’s initiatives, including the Digital Agriculture Mission, the LakhpatiDidi Program, KrishiSakhi, and efforts to empower farmers through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Mr. Sahu also elaborated on programs such as Natural and Organic Farming, Crop Insurance, e-NAM, and AgriSURE, all aimed at advancing the agriculture sector and fostering rural development.
In discussing areas of cooperation, Dr.PramodMehreda highlighted the crucial role of digital agriculture, emphasizing the importance of exchanging best practices in the use of digital technologies for pest and disease management.
The meeting focused on critical areas of cooperation, including artificial intelligence, digitization in agriculture, mechanization, the seed sector, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
The German delegation included representatives from BMEL, its subordinate authorities, and various institutions. From the Indian side, Joint Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare for Horticulture, Natural Resource Management, and Mechanisation participated in the meeting along with representatives of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
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