Govt Launches ASEAN-India Fellowship to Strengthen Agricultural Education and Research

On August 14, 2024, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the ASEAN-India Fellowship for Higher Education in Agriculture and Allied Sciences at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in PUSA, New Delhi. This was a significant step towards fostering collaboration in agricultural sciences and strengthening educational ties. The launch event saw the presence of Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary, and Ram Nath Thakur, among other dignitaries.

The ASEAN-India Fellowship is designed to support postgraduate studies in emerging fields within agriculture and allied sciences. It will facilitate introductory visits for participating Indian faculty to ASEAN member countries, contributing to capacity-building efforts and promoting the development of a pool of expert human resources in the region. Minister Chouhan highlighted that these long-term degree courses in India will enable researchers from both regions to remain connected and collaboratively address agriculture-related challenges.

Starting from the academic year 2024-25, the ASEAN-India Fellowship will offer 50 fellowships (10 per year) to students from ASEAN member countries pursuing a master's degree in agriculture and allied sciences. The initiative is funded under the ASEAN-India Fund for a duration of five years, covering fellowships, admission fees, living expenses, and incidental costs. This programme is expected to provide students with access to high-quality, research-based education in India, while also fostering closer ties and knowledge exchange between India and the ASEAN community.

During the event, Minister Chouhan lauded ICAR for its crucial role in shaping and ensuring the quality of agricultural education across India. He highlighted that ICAR’s efforts have been crucial in setting the standards and policies that drive agrarian education, contributing to sustainable development in the sector. Currently, around 135 international students are enrolled in various agricultural universities across the country, underscoring India’s commitment to fostering global academic partnerships.

India's robust relationship with ASEAN member countries was highlighted, with ASEAN being a cornerstone of India's 'Act East Policy' and the broader 'Indo-Pacific Vision.' Minister Chouhan reiterated India’s full support for ASEAN unity and centrality, as well as ASEAN's perspective on the Indo-Pacific region.

Josel F Ignacio, Ambassador of the Philippines to India and ASEAN's Country Coordinator for India, underscored the importance of the fellowship in fostering expert human resource development within ASEAN for the advancement of agriculture and allied sciences. He praised the collaborative spirit that the ASEAN-India Fellowship Programme embodies, which is essential for mutual growth.

Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) and Secretary (ICAR), provided insights into ICAR’s contributions towards addressing food security challenges in ASEAN countries. He highlighted the importance of the collaboration between ASEAN countries and India in achieving shared agricultural goals.

Paramita Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Oceania & Indo-Pacific, Ministry of External Affairs, discussed the ASEAN Cooperation Project, shedding light on India's 'Act East Policies' and the collaborative initiatives under this framework. Additionally, R.C. Aggrawal, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education), welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the ASEAN-India Fellowship Programme.

The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Deputy Chiefs of Mission from ASEAN countries, as well as ICAR's Deputy Directors General, Vice-Chancellors of Deemed Universities and State Agricultural Universities, and representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat and Indian Mission to ASEAN.