India and Bhutan have signed a pact to work together in key areas of agriculture, livestock, agricultural marketing and cooperatives, food processing, seed sector, research and technology collaboration, and capacity building.
An official statement said on Thursday that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Agriculture Secretary, Devesh Chaturvedi, and Thinley Namgyel, Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), Royal Government of Bhutan, in Thimpu.
The pact reflects the two countries' shared commitment to food security, sustainable farming and rural prosperity and will further strengthen their cooperation in the fields of agriculture and allied sectors, the statement added.
"It will serve as a framework for collaboration in various areas outlined in the MoU, including agricultural research and innovation, livestock health and production, post-harvest management, value chain development, and the exchange of knowledge, skills, and expertise," the statement said.
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To implement the MoU, the first session of the Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) was convened and the two countries agreed on the Terms of Reference besides spelling out priority areas of collaboration for immediate actions.
Chaturvedi highlighted a series of initiatives launched by the Indian government for the growth of the agricultural sector, while also engaging with his counterpart from Bhutan on key areas of cooperation, including agriculture, livestock, agricultural marketing and cooperatives, food processing, seed sector, etc.
The two sides have agreed to hold the next JTWG meeting in India at a mutually convenient date.
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