New Delhi, Jan 12 (UNI) ASEAN and India face similar challenges such as climate change, shrinking land base, dwindling water resources, shortage of farm labour, and increasing costs and uncertainties associated with volatility in national and international markets, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh said on Friday.
'We look forward to a closer cross-sectoral collaboration with ASEAN bodies on rural development and poverty eradication, agriculture, social welfare and development and health, among others, to ensure sustainable and inclusive development in the region,' Mr Singh said while addressing at the 4th ASEAN-India Agriculture Ministers Meeting held here.
India is committed to work with ASEAN countries to develop rural areas and eradicate poverty in line with the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Union Agriculture Minister said.
He said Agriculture is equally important for ASEAN as the majority of ASEAN countries, like India, are agrarian economies.
'Diversification towards higher value crops and livestock would be the answer which will not only improve farm incomes but also to reduce stress on the scarce natural resources. Transboundary diseases also remain yet another important areas of attention which requires urgent focus and collaborative efforts. This calls for close cooperation between our countries to tackle them,' Mr Singh said.
The fourth ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AIMMAF) which was held on Friday in New Delhi was co-chaired by Mr Grisada Boonrach, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand and Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh.
A Joint Press Statement of the 4th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry was released and it was decided that the 5th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry will be held in Brunei Darussalam in 2019.
'We supported the prioritisation of joint collaborative projects in the areas of Agroforestry interventions for livelihood opportunities, Demonstration and exchange of farm implement and machinery, and Genetic improvement of parental lines and development of heterotic rice hybrids,' the statement said.
'We noted the endorsement of the Medium Term Plan of Action for ASEAN-India Cooperation in Agriculture and Forestry for 2016–2020 by the SOM AMAF and India. In this connection, we underscore the importance of addressing Climate Change as it negatively impacts food security, and lookforward to cooperation on exchanging expertise as to promote enhanced resilience of natural systems, and improve the adaptive capacities of people to cope with environmental hazards,' it said.
'We look forward to the implementation of the 3rd Exchange visit for Farmers between ASEAN and India in order to provide opportunities for ASEAN and Indian farmers and fishers, including young and women farmers, to learn and develop more efficient farming practices and management skills through information sharing,' the statement added.
UNI NY ADG 1755