India and Afghanistan on Wednesday agreed to work towards setting up a Joint Working Group (JWG) to prepare a roadmap for long-term cooperation in agriculture and livestock, as Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held bilateral talks with Afghanistan’s Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Minister Mawlawi Ataullah Omari.
The meeting reviewed the existing agricultural partnership and explored avenues for collaboration in seed systems, irrigation, agricultural research, education, livestock, agri-trade and capacity building.
During the talks, India offered to support Afghanistan in improving food security and agricultural productivity through the supply of quality wheat, maize and potato seeds, climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties, and scientific expertise from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Water management and climate-resilient agriculture also figured prominently in the discussions. Responding to Afghanistan’s concerns over water scarcity and climate change, Chouhan said India was willing to share its experience in micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, watershed development, farm ponds, check dams and other water-use technologies.
The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in agricultural research and education through joint projects, faculty and student exchanges, laboratory support and training programmes for scientists, veterinarians and extension personnel. Areas such as horticulture, dairy, fisheries, poultry, digital agriculture, soil health management and post-harvest technologies also came up for discussion.
Afghanistan sought greater cooperation in agricultural education, technology transfer, agri-business and private sector engagement, while both countries acknowledged the potential to expand bilateral trade in agricultural commodities, quality seeds and value-added products.
Officials from ICAR highlighted ongoing cooperation in agricultural research, irrigation, germplasm exchange and watershed management, and expressed readiness to expand collaboration in wheat research, horticulture, livestock, dairy, fisheries and agricultural technology.
The two countries agreed to constitute a Joint Working Group to facilitate regular institutional engagement and identify new areas of cooperation based on mutual priorities.
Describing India and Afghanistan as partners linked by centuries-old civilisational ties, Chouhan said New Delhi remained committed to supporting Afghanistan’s agricultural transformation through research, innovation, technology transfer and capacity building. The collaboration, he said, would contribute to sustainable agriculture, food security and improved livelihoods for farmers in both countries.
