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India, Fiji Extend Farm Pact, Boost Tech & Training Ties for Food Security

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Fiji's Agriculture Minister Tomasi Tunabuna to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The two nations agreed to extend their existing Memorandum of Understanding for another five years. Key discussion areas included technology sharing, capacity-building programs, and joint research initiatives. A Joint Working Group will be established to advance collaboration on reducing food loss and ensuring food security.

Key Points: India-Fiji Deepen Agriculture Cooperation, Extend MoU

  • MoU extended for five more years
  • Joint Working Group to be established
  • Focus on tech sharing and digital tools
  • Collaboration on training and student exchanges
2 min read

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan holds bilateral meeting with Fijian counterpart to deepen India-Fiji cooperation in the agriculture sector

India and Fiji extend agriculture MoU, form Joint Working Group, and agree on tech sharing, training, and research to boost food security.

"India enjoys historical relations with Fiji which is growing further on mutual respect, cooperation and strong cultural and people-to-people ties. - Ministry Statement"

New Delhi, January 10

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held a bilateral meeting with Tomasi Tunabuna, Minister for Agriculture and Waterways of Fiji, on Friday at the Krishi Bhawan, where the two leaders discussed ongoing cooperation and outlined future areas of collaboration, as per a statement by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

As per an official statement on Friday, the Ministers held a fruitful discussion on a broad range of issues of mutual interest. The two sides agreed to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a further five years and to establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) to advance cooperation.

The statement further noted that in addition to this the key areas of collaboration discussed included student exchanges, training and capacity-building programmes, and technology sharing covering small-scale machinery, and digital agriculture tools. The discussions also focused on strengthening research infrastructure, genetic exchange initiatives and knowledge sharing on reducing food loss and waste.

He also shared the details of the meeting in a post on X.

"Minister highlighted that India enjoys historical relations with Fiji which is growing further on mutual respect, cooperation and strong cultural and people-to-people ties. He further underscored that both countries recognise the significance of agriculture and food security as key areas for bilateral cooperation", the statement added.

As per the statement, along with Minister Tomasi Tunabuna, the Fijian delegation comprised of CharanJeath Singh, Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and the Sugar Industry; Jagannath Sami, High Commissioner of Fiji; Vinesh Kumar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sugar; Nitya Reddy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fiji Sugar Corporation; and Paulo Daurewa, Counsellor at the High Commission of Fiji.

It said that representing India were Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Devesh Chaturvedi; Secretary DARE M. L. Jat, along with other senior officers.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Student exchanges and training programs are excellent. Our agricultural universities have great expertise. Hope this leads to real, on-ground benefits for farmers in both countries, not just paperwork.
V
Vikram M
Cooperation on reducing food waste is crucial. We have massive post-harvest losses here in India. Maybe we can learn from each other's challenges and solutions. The focus should be practical.
R
Rohit P
Good move, but I hope our own farmers' issues are not sidelined while we focus on international partnerships. MSP, timely procurement, and fair prices remain the biggest concerns here at home.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see India's engagement in the Pacific. The historical and cultural ties mentioned are important. Sharing technology for small-scale farming can be a game-changer for food security globally.
N
Nikhil C
The sugar industry connection is key! Fiji has a big sugar sector. Our research in sugarcane and ethanol could be very valuable for them. Win-win for both economies. 👍

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