Date: 2026-07-08Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan holds bilateral meeting with Afghanistan’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock H.E. Mawlawi Ataullah Omari to deepen India-Afghanistan agricultural cooperation
**Executive Summary**
On July 8, 2026, Indian Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a bilateral meeting with Afghanistan’s Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Mawlawi Ataullah Omari, to deepen agricultural cooperation. The meeting focused on food security, seed systems, and climate-resilient farming, concluding with a commitment to establish a Joint Working Group. This group is tasked with preparing a structured roadmap for long-term collaboration in the agriculture and livestock sectors.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Cooperation and Governance**
* Both nations agreed to constitute a Joint Working Group to develop a long-term roadmap for agricultural and livestock cooperation.
* India reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Afghanistan's agricultural transformation through technology transfer, research, and capacity building.
* The meeting emphasized regular institutional engagement to identify new areas of collaboration based on mutual priorities.
**Agricultural Productivity and Seed Systems**
* India offered to provide quality seeds for wheat, maize, and potato, specifically focusing on climate-resilient and biofortified varieties.
* Afghanistan sought India's cooperation in improving wheat productivity through advanced seed technologies and research collaboration.
* Strengthening seed systems was identified as a foundation for sustainable agriculture and food security.
**Research, Education, and Capacity Building**
* The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will strengthen partnerships with Afghan institutions through joint research and laboratory support.
* Proposals were made for faculty and student exchanges, alongside training programs for scientists, extension personnel, veterinarians, and agricultural professionals.
* Cooperation will extend to diverse sectors including horticulture, dairy, livestock, poultry, fisheries, and animal health.
**Resource Management and Technology**
* India shared expertise in water management, including micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, farm ponds, and check dams to address water scarcity in Afghanistan.
* Discussions covered the implementation of digital farming, soil health management, and efficient water-use technologies.
* Both sides focused on developing sustainable irrigation systems and climate-resilient farming practices.
**Trade and Market Access**
* Efforts will be made to expand bilateral agricultural trade in commodities, quality seeds, and value-added products.
* The Afghan side sought support in strengthening agricultural value chains and enhancing market access for its farm products.
* Both parties encouraged business-to-business (B2B) cooperation and increased private sector engagement.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (India) and ICAR**
**Impact**
These entities are positioned as the primary providers of technical expertise, scientific innovation, and institutional support.
**Action Required**
They must lead the Indian component of the Joint Working Group and facilitate the proposed training and exchange programs.
**Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (Afghanistan)**
**Impact**
The ministry will receive significant support in modernizing its agricultural sector, improving crop yields, and managing water resources.
**Action Required**
The ministry needs to collaborate on the long-term roadmap and identify specific institutional requirements for technology transfer.
**Agricultural Scientists, Students, and Professionals**
**Impact**
These individuals will benefit from increased opportunities for professional development, joint research, and academic exchanges.
**Action Required**
Eligible professionals and students must engage with the upcoming training programs and exchange initiatives established by ICAR and Afghan institutions.
**Private Sector and Agri-businesses**
**Impact**
There is an expanded potential for trade in agricultural commodities and value-added products, supported by improved market access.
**Action Required**
Agri-businesses should explore new avenues for B2B cooperation and trade opportunities in seeds and agricultural technology.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare: The primary Indian government department leading bilateral discussions to strengthen agricultural cooperation and provide technical support to Afghanistan.
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Afghanistan: The counterpart government entity seeking Indian cooperation in food security, wheat productivity, and sustainable irrigation systems.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): The key technical institution tasked with strengthening seed systems, research partnerships, and capacity building between India and Afghanistan.
Joint Working Group: A bilateral body agreed upon to prepare a structured roadmap for long-term institutional engagement in agriculture and livestock.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan holds
bilateral meeting with Afghanistan’s Minister of
Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock H.E.
Mawlawi Ataullah Omari to deepen India-
Afghanistan agricultural cooperation
India reaffirms commitment to strengthening Afghanistan’s
agricultural transformation through seeds, research,
irrigation, capacity building and technology: Union
Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
“India and Afghanistan share a centuries-old relationship
founded on trust, friendship and people-to-people ties”:
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
“Water conservation, scientific farming and quality seeds are
the foundation of sustainable agriculture”: Union Minister Shri
Shivraj Singh Chouhan
India offers support in climate-resilient agriculture, digital
farming, soil health, micro-irrigation, post-harvest
management and agricultural education
ICAR to further strengthen cooperation with Afghanistan
through seed systems, research partnerships, institutional
collaboration and capacity building
Both countries agree to work towards establishing a Joint
Working Group to prepare a roadmap for long-term
agricultural cooperation
प्रव तथ: 08 JUL 2026 8:55PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan,
today held a bilateral meeting with the Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of
Afghanistan H.E. Mawlawi Ataullah Omari and the accompanying delegation to review the existingagricultural partnership between the two countries and discuss new avenues for cooperation in agriculture,
irrigation, livestock, agricultural research, education, capacity building and agri-trade. Senior officials of
the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
participated in the discussions.
Welcoming the Afghan delegation, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that India and Afghanistan share
centuries-old civilizational ties founded on trust, friendship and strong people-to-people relations.
Reaffirming India's commitment to strengthening the bilateral agricultural partnership, he said India
remains ready to share its scientific expertise, technological innovations and institutional experience to
support Afghanistan's food security, agricultural productivity and farmers' prosperity.
Food security, seed systems and crop productivity emerged as key areas of discussion. The Afghan side
highlighted the importance of wheat to its agricultural economy and sought India's cooperation in
improving wheat productivity through advanced seed technologies and research collaboration. Shri
Chouhan conveyed India's readiness to support Afghanistan through quality wheat, maize and potato
seeds, climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties, and scientific expertise of ICAR institutions to
strengthen Afghanistan's seed systems and agricultural production.Water management and climate-resilient agriculture figured prominently during the meeting. The Afghan
delegation highlighted the challenges posed by water scarcity and climate change and sought cooperation
in irrigation, water harvesting and watershed development. Shri Chouhan shared India's experience in
micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, farm ponds, check dams and efficient water-use technologies, and
expressed India's willingness to support Afghanistan in developing sustainable irrigation systems and
climate-resilient farming practices.
The two Ministers also discussed expanding collaboration in agricultural research, education and capacity
building. Shri Chouhan proposed strengthening partnerships between ICAR and Afghanistan's agricultural
institutions through joint research, faculty and student exchanges, laboratory support and training
programmes for scientists, extension personnel, veterinarians and agricultural professionals. Discussions
also covered cooperation in horticulture, dairy, livestock, poultry, fisheries, animal health, post-harvest
management, digital agriculture and soil health management.
H.E. Mawlawi Ataullah Omari appreciated India's continued support to Afghanistan's agriculture sector
and reaffirmed his country's commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation. He highlighted
Afghanistan's priorities, including improving wheat productivity through quality seed systems,
strengthening irrigation and water management, promoting livestock development, enhancing agricultural
research and expanding capacity-building initiatives. He also sought greater cooperation in agricultural
education, technology transfer, agri-business and private sector engagement.
Both sides recognised the significant potential to expand bilateral agricultural trade and private sector
engagement. Discussions focused on promoting trade in agricultural commodities, quality seeds and
value-added products, while encouraging business-to-business cooperation. The Afghan side also sought
India's support in strengthening agricultural value chains and enhancing market access for its farm
products.
Senior officials of ICAR presented an overview of the long-standing agricultural cooperation between the
two countries and highlighted ongoing collaboration in agricultural research, irrigation, germplasm
exchange, watershed management and human resource development. They reaffirmed ICAR's
commitment to further expanding cooperation in wheat research, horticulture, livestock, dairy, fisheries
and agricultural technology.Both sides agreed to work towards constituting a Joint Working Group to prepare a structured roadmap for
long-term cooperation in agriculture and livestock, facilitate regular institutional engagement and identify
new areas of collaboration based on mutual priorities.
Concluding the meeting, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed confidence that the discussions would
further strengthen the longstanding friendship between India and Afghanistan and open new avenues for
mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture. He reiterated India's commitment to working closely with
Afghanistan through research, innovation, technology transfer and capacity building to promote
sustainable agriculture, food security and the prosperity of farmers in both countries.
*****
RC/PU
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2282628) आगंतुक पटल : 368
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Marathi , Gujarati