INDIA AND IRAN SIGN WORK-PLAN TO PROMOTE
AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION
India and Iran have
signed a work-plan for 2003-04 to promote bi-lateral cooperation
in the field of agriculture. The work-plan was signed here today
in the presence of the Agriculture Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh
and the visiting Iranian Agriculture Minister, Mr. Mahmoud Hojjati
Najafadi. The Work Plan seeks to develop and promote closer ties
in the field of agricultural research and education.
Earlier, during
the talks, the two sides expressed willingness to cooperate in
the fields of dairy, fisheries and agricultural research, etc.
The Iranian Agriculture Minister expressed keen interest in benefiting
from the Indian experience of increasing food-grains and milk
production. He said that one of the major impediments Iran is
facing in the field of agriculture is post-harvest wastage of
produce and both countries could co-operate in this area. The
Iranian Minister also said that the southern part of his country
has been facing the problem of pests. Because of climatic similarities
between southern Iran and India, there is scope for bilateral
co-operation in the area.
Shri Rajnath
Singh suggested that joint programmes may be prepared on disease
management of crops. He invited Iranian students to visit India
and study in various institutes of agriculture. He expressed interest
in obtaining from Iran germplasm of pistachio nut and saffron.
The Minister also requested Iran to lift ban on import of Indian
wheat due to so called Karnal Bunt infection. Both sides expressed
willingness to begin talks on quarantine and plant protection
issues so that a boost could be given to bi-lateral trade. The
two Ministers also agreed on exchange of experts in the field
of agriculture.
India is the
seventh largest export destination for Iran. The Indo-Iranian
trade was of the order of 2.016 billion US dollars in 2001-02.
The items imported by India from Iran included pulses and dry
fruits. India’s export to Iran amounted to 470 million US dollars.
The areas of mutual interest include exchange of germplasm, enhancement
of germplasm and seed production, biotechnology; natural resource
management, education and exchange of visits of scientists.
