The first Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on agriculture between India and Chile was held virtually on 12 March 2025.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, and Gabriel Layseca, Director of the Department of International Affairs at the Bureau of Agricultural Studies and Policies (ODEPA).
Officials from both nations emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors.
Ajeet Kumar Sahu provided an overview of India’s agricultural sector, highlighting the country’s remarkable progress and innovative initiatives introduced by the government.
He elaborated on programmes such as the Digital Agriculture Mission, the Women-led Development initiatives, including the Lakhpati Didi Programme and Krishi Sakhi, as well as efforts to support farmers through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
Other key initiatives mentioned included the promotion of natural and organic farming, crop insurance schemes, e-NAM, and AgriSURE, all of which aim to enhance agricultural growth and rural development.
Gabriel Layseca expressed Chile’s appreciation for its agricultural partnership with India and conveyed the country's keen interest in strengthening collaboration in the sector.
He noted that both nations, with their extensive agricultural experience, have the potential to complement each other in boosting farm productivity, advancing rural development, and improving the welfare of farmers.
He further remarked that the meeting was a significant step towards deepening bilateral ties and paving the way for enhanced cooperation in the future.
Both sides engaged in discussions on crucial topics such as market access, cooperation in horticulture, capacity-building in agricultural extension, and research collaborations.
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