February 27, 2002
'27' INDIA OFFERS TO REHABILITATE AGRICULTURE IN AFGANISTHANEMERGENCY PLAN TO BE WORKED OUT WITHIN A WEEK
India has offered to help Afghanistan in rehabilitation of its Agriculture, its mainstay. Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Ajit Singh gave the assurance of help to the visiting Afghan Agriculture Minister, Mr. Seyyed Hussein Anwari when the latter called on him here today. On a request from Mr. Anwari, Shri Singh asked his officials to work out within a week an emergency plan jointly with the afghan embassy officials as the sowing season is going to start in about a month. Shri Singh also suggested that Afghanistan might also send a delegation to visit India’s agricultural research labs as well as Agricultural Universities so that they can have an idea on what help they would require in future which could be addressed subsequently. Recalling the close relations between the two countries, Shri Singh said that India looks forward to a stable and prosperous Afghanistan and will go all out in helping Afghanistan in its endeavor. He said that India is quite strong in agriculture with 30 thousand strong scientists and researchers working in the field. He said that India has become a food surplus State from a deficit State within a short time and added that this expertise will come in handy for Afghanistan.
The Afghan minister said that economy of his country including agriculture, on which over 80% Afghans live, has been seriously damaged following 23 years of war. For rebuilding the agricultural institutions it would require over US $5 billion, he added. He requested for immediate help from India stating that the sowing season was going to start within a month. Mr. Anwari said that his country wants assistance in the field of sericulture, seed processing, poultry, fishing and veterinary besides agricultural equipment. He also requested Shri Ajit Singh to offer scholarships to Afghan scientists to come to India for higher education and research in agriculture.