India and Argentina Strengthen Agricultural Cooperation at 2nd Joint Working Group Meeting

New Delhi: India and Argentina reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors during the 2nd Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting held yesterday. The meeting was co-chaired by Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, who participated virtually, and Sergio Iraeta, Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries of Argentina.

Describing the meeting as a key milestone in bilateral relations, Chaturvedi highlighted Argentina’s importance as a strategic partner in India’s agricultural landscape. He emphasized the potential for collaboration in areas such as agricultural mechanization, pest control, climate-resilient agriculture, and joint research and technology exchange. According to him, the partnership is rooted in the spirit of mutual learning and innovation, aimed at creating sustainable solutions for both countries.

Sergio Iraeta reiterated Argentina’s strong interest in deepening its engagement with India and pointed to areas like genome editing, plant breeding technologies, and sustainable farming practices as promising fields of cooperation. He said that both countries, with their vast agricultural experience, have the potential to complement each other in enhancing productivity and improving the welfare of farmers.

During the meeting, Muktanand Agrawal, Joint Secretary (Plant Protection), provided an overview of India’s agricultural progress and policy reforms. He highlighted the government’s initiatives that are transforming Indian agriculture, including the adoption of digital platforms, promotion of climate-resilient farming techniques, and increased focus on risk mitigation and farmer credit.

The session also witnessed detailed discussions on key areas of mutual interest such as horticulture, oilseed and pulses value chains, mechanization, precision farming, biopesticides, locust management, carbon credit frameworks for farmers, and improving market access for agricultural products. Both sides expressed a shared vision of promoting sustainable agriculture while embracing innovation and technology to boost farmer incomes.

Senior officials from India’s Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and the Ministry of External Affairs also took part in the deliberations. Their presence underscored the multidimensional approach both countries are taking toward strengthening agricultural ties.

The 2nd JWG meeting concluded with a strong resolve from both sides to convert dialogue into action, with a focus on building long-term partnerships, supporting innovation, and enhancing food security through collaborative efforts in agriculture and allied fields.