SUVA: India and Fiji sign MoU for cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors

SUVA: The MoU will prove to be a
milestone in further strengthening the multi-faceted cooperation between the
two countries: Shri Tomar

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar
and Fiji’s Minister of Agriculture, Waterways & Environment, Dr. Mahendra
Reddy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field
of Agriculture and allied sectors between India and Fiji in a virtual meeting
held today.

On this occasion, Shri Tomar said that India believes in the spirit of
‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’. India has helped all the countries in the same spirit
even during the Corona pandemic under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi. Shri Tomar said that Prime Minister Shri Modi has focused on
agriculture and the development of villages from the very beginning. In this
direction, many concrete steps have been taken in the country like setting up
of 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and creation of 10 thousand
FPOs. During the Corona pandemic loans worth Rs. 2 lakh crore have been given
to the farmers and as a result more production and earning has been achieved
than before.

Shri Tomar said that cordial and friendly relations between India and Fiji are
based on mutual respect, cooperation and strong cultural and people-to-people
ties. Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Fiji and the first Forum for
India Pacific Islands Cooperation have given a new impetus to India’s
engagement with Fiji and the Pacific region. The signing of this MoU today will
prove to be a milestone in further strengthening the multi-faceted cooperation
between the two countries.

Shri Tomar said, “food and agriculture are closely related to climate
change. Both countries are cooperating in dealing with global challenges in
this regard. Despite the Corona pandemic, we have been able to distribute about
7 tonnes of seeds of 14 varieties of fruits and vegetables as requested by
Fiji, as a grant from the Government of India, for the livelihood restoration
of communities affected by Cyclone Yasa.”

Fiji’s Minister Dr. Reddy expressed happiness over the MoU and said that both
countries will keep their mutual relations dynamic in the same spirit.

The MoU provides for cooperation in the fields of Dairy Industry Development,
Rice Industry Development, Root crop diversification, Water Resources
Management, Coconut Industry Development, Food Processing Industry Development,
Agriculture Mechanization, Horticulture Industry Development, Agricultural
Research, Animal Husbandry, Pest and Disease, Cultivation, Value Addition and
Marketing, Post-Harvest and Milling, Breeding and Agronomy.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India and the
Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the Republic of Fiji shall be the
Executing Agencies from respective sides.

Under the MoU, a Joint Working Group will be established to set down procedures
and plan and recommend programs of cooperation towards achieving its aims. The
Working Group will hold its meetings alternatively in India and Fiji once in
every two years.

The MoU will remain valid for a period of five years from the date of its
signing and any variation to its duration will be approved in writing by both
Parties.