NewKerala.com

India and Argentina Forge New Path: Boosting Farm Tech and Research Exchange

India and Argentina have just taken a major step to boost their farming partnership. They signed a new three-year plan to share research and technology in areas like sustainable crops and digital agriculture. The deal includes swapping seeds for important plants and working together on animal health and farm machinery. This collaboration aims to strengthen food security and modernize agriculture in both countries.

Key Points: India Argentina Boost Agricultural Research Tech Exchange Work Plan

  • New Work Plan 2025-2027 signed between ICAR and Argentina's INTA for bilateral agricultural cooperation
  • Focus areas include sustainable agronomy, digital farming, crop biotechnology, and livestock improvement
  • Collaboration involves germplasm exchange for key crops like soybean, maize, and citrus
  • Includes joint efforts on disease control, locust management, and agricultural mechanization like drones
2 min read

India, Argentina to boost bilateral agricultural research, technology exchange

India and Argentina sign a new Work Plan to strengthen cooperation in sustainable agronomy, digital agriculture, biotechnology, and germplasm exchange for 2025-2027.

"Planned study visits and training programme cover greenhouse vegetable production, floriculture and temperate fruits, post-harvest physiology, functional food development... - Agriculture Ministry Statement"

New Delhi, Dec 17

India and Argentina on Wednesday reaffirmed their cooperation in sustainable agronomy, digital agriculture and biotechnology through new Work Plan, marking a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral agricultural collaboration.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina, signed a 'Work Plan 2025-2027' to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agricultural research, capacity building, and technology exchange.

The Work Plan establishes collaboration across natural resource management, sustainable agronomy including zero tillage, mechanisation, micro-irrigation and fertigation, crop and animal biotechnology, livestock improvement, production technologies for temperate and tropical crops, digital agriculture, biosafety and phytosanitary measures, and value chain development.

Implementation will be through joint research, germplasm exchange, expert engagements, and structured training and study visits, said Agriculture Ministry.

"Planned study visits and training programme cover greenhouse vegetable production, floriculture and temperate fruits, post-harvest physiology, functional food development, veterinary diagnostics, precision livestock farming, waste-to-wealth technologies, microbial feed enhancement, digital agriculture, and sanitary and phytosanitary systems," it said in a statement.

Germplasm exchange will include soybean, sunflower, maize, blueberry, citrus, wild papaya species, guava, and select vegetable crops.

India and Argentina are also deepening cooperation in oilseeds and pulses value chains, agricultural mechanisation -- including zero-tillage, cotton harvesting machinery, and drones -- and horticulture value chain development, including infrastructure and planting material exchange.

In plant and animal health, it envisages region-specific Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) elimination strategies and enhanced collaboration on locust surveillance and management through technical exchanges and best-practice sharing, said the ministry.

Dr M.L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, ICAR, and Mariano Augustin Caucino, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to India, exchanged the signed ICAR-INTA Work Plan, marking a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral agricultural collaboration.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Germplasm exchange for blueberries and temperate fruits is very interesting. Could help develop horticulture in our Himalayan regions. But I hope our indigenous crop varieties are also protected and valued in these exchanges. Jai Kisan!
R
Rohit P
Collaboration on locust surveillance is crucial. We saw the damage a few years ago. Sharing real-time data and tech with Argentina, which also faces similar challenges, can help prevent future crises. Good step by ICAR.
M
Michael C
As someone working in agri-tech, the focus on digital agriculture and drones is spot on. The key will be implementation at the ground level. Hope the training programs reach actual farmers and FPOs, not just stay in research institutes.
S
Shreya B
Waste-to-wealth technologies and microbial feed enhancement sound promising for sustainable livestock farming. This can reduce pollution from dairy clusters and lower feed costs. Hope our farmers benefit practically from this research.
D
David E
While the plan is comprehensive, I have a respectful criticism. These bilateral agreements often look great on paper. The real test is measurable outcomes in 5 years. Will soybean yields in India actually improve? Will FMD be controlled better? We need transparency and regular progress reports.
N
Nikhil C
<

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50