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Agricultural industry

Bhutan and India Strengthen Agricultural Cooperation with MoU on Technical Cooperation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Bhutan and India have taken a significant step towards enhancing food security, promoting sustainable farming, and strengthening rural livelihoods with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on technical cooperation in agriculture, livestock, and allied sectors. The agreement, signed in Thimphu on August 27, aims to foster a five-year renewable framework of collaboration in key areas, including agricultural research and innovation, livestock health and production, post-harvest management, value chain development, and the exchange of knowledge, skills, and expertise. The MoU is expected to benefit farmers directly by improving productivity, expanding market access, and strengthening resilience against emerging challenges such as climate change and food insecurity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The MoU was signed on August 27 in Thimphu by Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of India's Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, and Thinley Namgyel, Secretary of Bhutan's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL).
  • The agreement aims to enhance food security, promote sustainable farming, and strengthen rural livelihoods across both nations through collaboration in agricultural research and innovation, livestock health and production, post-harvest management, value chain development, and knowledge and skill exchanges.
  • The framework is expected to benefit farmers directly by improving productivity, expanding market access, and strengthening resilience against emerging challenges such as climate change and food insecurity.
  • Officials from both governments emphasized that the agreement reflects both governments' commitment to translating policy into action.
  • The MoU is designed to enhance institutional collaboration while also empowering farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.
  • The collaboration promises tangible benefits for farmers and rural entrepreneurs in Bhutan and provides an opportunity for India to share expertise and deepen ties with a close neighbor.

Statistics:

  • The MoU is valid for five years with an option for renewal.
  • The agreement aims to enhance institutional collaboration while also empowering farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.
  • Officials stressed that the agreement is rooted in the countries' longstanding trade and agricultural ties.
  • The MoU is expected to channel more assistance into farm mechanisation, post-harvest technologies, and value chain strengthening.
  • The agreement is designed to foster a five-year renewable framework of collaboration in key areas, including agricultural research and innovation, livestock health and production, post-harvest management, value chain development, and the exchange of knowledge, skills, and expertise.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) of Bhutan
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare of India
  • Sonam Pelgen, Senior Planning Officer from MoAL's Policy and Planning Division
  • Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela
  • Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of India's Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare
  • Thinley Namgyel, Secretary of Bhutan's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL)

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