India and Hungary to strengthen cooperation in agriculture

New Delhi, Jan 18 (UNI) India and Hungary today held discussions to further enhance cooperation and also decided to set up a Joint Working Group to coordinate and monitor activities in agriculture sector.

The Indian delegation was led Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and the Hungarian team was led by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Hungary, Mr Jozsef Graf.

An agreement in the field of agriculture and allied sectors is to be signed by the two Ministers this evening in the presence of the Prime Ministers of the two countries.

The Agreement will provide for setting up a Joint Working Group to develop biennial work plan and to coordinate and monitor activities to be carried out under this agreement.

The agreement will come into effect on the date of its signing and shall remain valid for a period of five years and will be automatically renewed for a subsequent period of five years.

Highlighting the progress made by India in the fields of agricultural research, dairy equipment and packaging poultry and livestock, Mr Pawar sought increased cooperation between India and Hungary in these areas.

India also proposed to have cooperation in agricultural infrastructure, post harvest management and horticulture. It was also decided to further strengthen linkages between the GB Pant Agriculture University and Universities and Centres in Kaposvear, Godollo and Eger.

The agreement is provides for cooperation in agricultural research and technology, agricultural production, food processing and economic cooperation between the two countries through joint activities.

Joint activities will be carried out in the field of agricultural research, agricultural production including horticulture, post harvest management, agro processing, agricultural marketing, animal husbandry, dairying and aquaculture and phytosanitary issues relating to trade in plant and animal genetic resources.

UNI BBS PDT KP1810