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8th Joint Working Group meeting between India & Germany on agriculture held in New Delhi
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Monday, 24 March, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The 8th India-Germany Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on agriculture was co-chaired by Alka Upadhyay, secretary of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Silvia Bender, State secretary of German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), at National Agricultural Science Complex, PUSA, New Delhi.
In her welcome address, Upadhyay underscored the strong ties between India and Germany, highlighting the robust collaboration on global issues and the strategic partnership nurtured through the Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) since 2011. She emphasised the significance of cooperation in the agricultural sector, particularly in digital technologies, and noted the impressive agricultural trade between the two nations. She also pointed out ongoing collaborations in agroecology, seed production, and sustainable practices, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening ties and exploring new avenues for agricultural cooperation.
Bender expressed Germany’s deep appreciation for its partnership with India and reaffirmed the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, especially in agriculture and allied sectors. She acknowledged the common challenges faced by both countries and stressed the importance of working together to find innovative solutions. She further reiterated Germany’s readiness to share its experience and vision to enhance cooperation in agriculture.
Ajeet Kumar Sahu provided an insightful overview of India’s agricultural achievements, emphasising its pivotal role in both domestic and global food security. He highlighted the government's initiatives, including the Digital Agriculture Mission, the Lakhpati Didi Programme, Krishi Sakhi, and efforts to empower farmers through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). Sahu also elaborated on programmes such as Natural and Organic Farming, Crop Insurance, e-NAM, and AgriSURE, all aimed at advancing the agriculture sector and fostering rural development.
In discussing areas of cooperation, Dr Pramod Mehreda highlighted the crucial role of digital agriculture, emphasising the importance of exchanging best practices in the use of digital technologies for pest and disease management.
The meeting focused on critical areas of cooperation, including artificial intelligence, digitisation in agriculture, mechanisation, the seed sector, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
The German delegation included representatives from BMEL, its subordinate authorities, and various institutions. From India’s side, joint secretaries of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare for Horticulture, Natural Resource Management, and Mechanisation participated in the meeting along with representatives of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
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