Nepal and India have agreed to develop and execute a biennial action plan in the next three months to materialize their agricultural cooperation agreements. This decision was made during the ninth meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Agriculture Working Group in Kathmandu. Both countries also plan to strengthen collaboration between their agricultural universities and research institutions, including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC).
The two nations have also committed to collaborating in the livestock, poultry, and fisheries sectors under a separate memorandum of understanding. Additionally, agreements were made to streamline logistical processes for the smooth supply of chemical fertilisers, boost cooperation in agricultural infrastructure development, and maintain regular communication to address technical issues related to food quality and quarantine.
India expressed its commitment to expanding cooperation with Nepal in agricultural research, technology transfer, and infrastructure development in alignment with its “Neighbourhood First” policy. Nepal, on the other hand, highlighted the positive impact of receiving 92,766 doses of semen from high-quality Murrah male buffaloes gifted by India, emphasizing the contribution to livestock development and breed enhancement.
Furthermore, discussions were held on extending cooperation in modern areas such as digital agriculture, climate-resilient farming, natural farming systems, and food security. Both sides agreed that the tenth meeting of the Joint Agriculture Working Group would take place in India, with the dates to be determined through mutual consultation.
