Australia aims to help UP in agricultural sector, improve produce

Lucknow, Sept 24: Describing Uttar Pradesh as the power house of India in the agricultural sector,

on Monday said that it would like to help the state in upkeep and marketing of farm products.

Expressing his desire to meet UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in this connection, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia in India Bernard Philip said, "We would like to extend cooperation to UP in the field of agriculture specially in mango exports. It's India's power house in agriculture."

Australia's entire mango import is from UP, he claimed. Describing water security as one of India's greatest long-term development challenges, Philip said that Lucknow's river side development project is of Australia's interest and its expertise could help show how to open up a river for public use with tourism offerings ensuring environmental issues.

"Australia has valuable experience and expertise to offer India and UP in water resource management. We recognise water security as one of India's greatest long-term development challenges for which we are ready to cooperate with different states including UP," he said.

Australia to help UP in water management, agriculture

Incidentally, on water issues, Australia and India have signed a MoU and formed a Joint Working Group to enhance cooperation and encourage direct engagement on water management, he said. It was learnt that through the Water Science and Technology Partnership launched by the then PM Julia Gillard in October 2012, Australia would like to expand engagement on water with states and seek to learn more about UP's specific water challenges.

Australia was also hoping to increase collaboration with UP in the field of education, the deputy high commissioner said, adding, that Australian Universities have 18 active collaborations with Indian Institutes in UP, including 13 Australian Universities and 12 Indian Institutes.

PTI