NEW DELHI: India and Iran have agreed to enhance cooperation in the agriculture sector and promote trade in farm commodities, including rice, wheat and oilseeds.
Yesterday, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh met his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Hojjati on the sidelines of the Food and agriculture (FAO) conference in Rome.
It was agreed that efforts would also be made to put in place an institutional framework to improve cooperation in the field of agriculture between the two countries, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
“During the meeting, the two sides agreed to make efforts to enhance cooperation in field of agriculture particularly to boost trade in various commodities of mutual interest including rice, wheat, oilseeds etc,” the statement added.
The ministers of both countries have also decided to cooperate in agricultural research, mutual capacity building, technical collaboration in fisheries, cooperation in seed and fodder development etc.
In a separate meeting, Singh also called on FAO Director General Jose Graziano da silva, and shared with him measures being taken by the government to improve conditions of the Indian farmers.
FAO also agreed to participate and provide technical assistance in conservation and promotion of indigenous cattle breeds through India’s Gokul mission, the statement added.
