Agriculture Min Arjun Munda Meets ASEAN Secy-Gen Dr. Kao Kim Hourn to Enhance Collaboration on Climate Change, Food Security

A significant stride in agricultural cooperation between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was marked today as a delegation, led by H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, paid a visit to Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Arjun Munda at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. Union Agriculture Minister extended a cordial welcome to the visiting delegation, underlining India's profound regard for its relationship with ASEAN, considering it a pivotal element of India's foreign policy, in coherence with the nation's Act East Policy.

Stressing the imperative of enhancing the existing ties between ASEAN and India, particularly in agriculture, the Minister emphasized the mutual benefits of collaboration in this sphere. He underscored India's regular participation in the ASEAN-India Agriculture Ministers' Meeting and reaffirmed the commitment to jointly address pertinent issues such as food security.

Collective Efforts Towards Agricultural Advancement

Reflecting on successful collaborative endeavors, including the recent ASEAN-India Millets Festival, Minister Munda emphasized the collective responsibility to integrate millets into mainstream agriculture. Additionally, he announced forthcoming training programs for ASEAN Member States, to be conducted at various institutions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), with a focus on post-harvest agriculture techniques.

Addressing Climate Change and Food Security

H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, commended India's proactive engagement in agricultural cooperation within the ASEAN-India framework. He advocated for an expansion of collaborative efforts across multiple sectors, encompassing agricultural products, exchange programs, climate change resilience, and food security initiatives.

Dr. Hourn highlighted the potential for joint initiatives aimed at sustainable agriculture, leveraging India's expertise and technological prowess to address challenges such as the promotion of digital agriculture and the reduction of harmful agrochemicals.

Reiterating India's steadfast support for bolstering the India-ASEAN partnership, particularly in the realm of agriculture, Minister Munda underscored the nation's unwavering commitment to fostering mutual growth and prosperity through continued cooperation.

Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN called on at my office in Delhi today and we exchanged views on ASEAN-India cooperation in the areas of agriculture, including implementation of sustainable agriculture and promotion of digital technology in the agricultural sector. pic.twitter.com/LRUrFRmrwi
— Arjun Munda (@MundaArjun) February 14, 2024