The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held a bilateral meeting with Tomasi Tunabuna, Minister for Agriculture and Waterways of Fiji, at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, to review ongoing cooperation and explore new avenues for strengthening bilateral ties in the agriculture sector.
Strengthening Historical Ties and Food Security Cooperation
During the meeting, the Union Minister highlighted that India shares deep historical relations with Fiji, founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and strong cultural and people-to-people ties. He noted that these relations continue to grow and emphasized that both countries recognize agriculture and food security as key pillars of their bilateral cooperation.
Agreement to Extend MoU and Establish Joint Working Group
The two Ministers held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest. It was agreed to extend the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a further five years and to establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) to advance structured cooperation between the two countries.
Key areas of collaboration identified during the discussions included:
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Student exchanges and training programmes
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Capacity-building initiatives for farmers and agricultural professionals
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Technology sharing in small-scale agricultural machinery
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Adoption of digital agriculture tools
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Strengthening research infrastructure
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Genetic exchange initiatives
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Knowledge sharing to reduce food loss and waste
Both sides underscored the importance of research cooperation and innovation-driven solutions to address shared agricultural challenges.
High-Level Participation from Both Sides
The Fijian delegation included CharanJeath Singh, Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and the Sugar Industry; Jagannath Sami, High Commissioner of Fiji; Vinesh Kumar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sugar; Nitya Reddy, Chairman, Fiji Sugar Corporation; and Paulo Daurewa, Counsellor at the High Commission of Fiji.
The Indian side was represented by Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare; M. L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), along with other senior officials.
Conclusion
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and Fiji to deepen cooperation in agriculture through capacity building, technology transfer, and research collaboration. Both sides expressed confidence that the extended MoU and institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Working Group would further strengthen bilateral engagement and contribute to sustainable agricultural development and food security in both countries.
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Source: PIB
