India-Afghanistan strengthen agricultural ties as Minister Mawlawi Ataullah Omari concludes high-level visit
New Delhi, July 12
Afghanistan's Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Mawlawi Ataullah Omari, accompanied by a high-level delegation, concluded their visit to India on Sunday with committment to continued momentum in the bilateral engagement between the two nations and assured agricultural cooperation.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that this was the fourth ministerial-level visit from Afghanistan to India since October 2025.
The ministry said that during the visit, the Afghan Minister met with the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and the two sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and explored new avenues for collaboration in agriculture, irrigation, livestock, agricultural research, education, capacity building and agri-trade.
Food security, seed systems and enhancement of crop productivity featured prominently in the discussions. India reiterated its commitment to supporting Afghanistan's agricultural sector through cooperation in climate-resilient and bio-fortified crop varieties, sustainable irrigation practices, water harvesting, watershed development and other areas of mutual interest, the MEA stated.
In another significant meeting, the Afghan Minister also met Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan, during which the discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in food processing through value addition, infrastructure development, technology transfer, capacity building and promotion of bilateral trade in agricultural and food products.
The MEA further stated that the Afghan Minister also met Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, and exchanged views on ongoing bilateral cooperation aimed at supporting the welfare and development of the Afghan people.
The delegation also interacted with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), International Potato Centre (CIP), International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), the MEA noted.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good diplomatic move, but I'm cautiously optimistic. We must ensure these collaborations don't get caught up in geopolitical tensions with Pakistan. Also, let's see if the Afghan government can implement these projects on the ground. Actions speak louder than MoUs.
As someone working in agri-tech, this is promising. Indian institutes like ICAR and IARI have world-class research. Sharing climate-resilient seeds and sustainable irrigation methods could transform Afghan agriculture. Just hope the security situation allows for effective implementation.
Fourth ministerial visit since 2025? That's consistent engagement. India has always been a reliable partner for Afghanistan. The focus on food processing and value addition could create jobs and reduce post-harvest losses. Win-win for both nations! 👏
Not sure about this. India has its own agricultural challenges - farmer distress, water scarcity. Why pour resources into Afghanistan when our own farmers struggle? Prioritize domestic needs first. The optics of "helping others" while our own people suffer don't sit well.
The involvement of NABARD and ICAR is promising - these institutions have decades of experience in rural development. But I hope this doesn't become another aid-driven project that benefits only contractors. Real impact on Afghan farmers' livelihoods should be the metric for success.
T We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.