New Delhi: India and the Netherlands discussed ways to strengthen agricultural collaboration during a meeting between Mr. Jan-Kees Goet, Vice-Minister of Agriculture of the Netherlands, and Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi today, a PIB release stated.
Chaturvedi noted the long-standing cooperation between India and the Netherlands in the agricultural sector. He also emphasized the Indian government’s commitment to agricultural diversification, outlining key areas for enhanced collaboration, including improving post-harvest management and increasing access to high-quality seeds and planting materials for small and marginal farmers.
Goet shared the Netherlands’ new government priorities, emphasizing food security and farmers’ welfare as key objectives. He expressed interest in supporting future Centers, viewing CoEs as a valuable model of mutual cooperation.
Both sides agreed to expand their collaboration and explore new possibilities for joint initiatives. These initiatives include a clean plant program and leveraging the Netherlands’ experience in fostering a collaborative ecosystem that brings together the public and private sectors and civil society to advance the seeds sector, improve farmers’ choices, and address evolving food and climate challenges. The two sides discussed potential cooperation in agricultural mechanization, FPO capacity building, vocational training in partnership with MANAGE, financing for agricultural startups, and the contribution of skilled Indian agricultural workers to the Netherlands’ agricultural sector.
Additional Secretaries Shri Pramod Kumar Mehereda and Ms. Shubha Thakur, along with Joint Secretaries and representatives from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) were also present at the meeting. The Netherlands delegation included Ambassador Marisa Gerards, the Agriculture Counsellor, the Director of SeedNL, and a Senior Policy Officer.