Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a bilateral meeting with Afghanistan's Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock H.E. Mawlawi Ataullah Omari on July 8, 2026, to review existing agricultural partnership and discuss new cooperation avenues. The meeting focused on agriculture, irrigation, livestock, agricultural research, education, capacity building, and agri-trade, with senior officials from India's Ministry of Agriculture and ICAR participating.
India reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Afghanistan's agricultural transformation through scientific expertise, technological innovations, and institutional experience. Specific areas of cooperation discussed included quality wheat, maize, and potato seeds, climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties, and ICAR's scientific expertise to strengthen Afghanistan's seed systems. Water management emerged as a key focus, with India offering support in micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, farm ponds, check dams, and efficient water-use technologies to address Afghanistan's water scarcity challenges.
The discussions covered expanding collaboration in agricultural research, education, and capacity building through joint research, faculty and student exchanges, laboratory support, and training programs for scientists, extension personnel, veterinarians, and agricultural professionals. Additional cooperation areas included horticulture, dairy, livestock, poultry, fisheries, animal health, post-harvest management, digital agriculture, and soil health management.
Afghanistan highlighted priorities including improving wheat productivity through quality seed systems, strengthening irrigation and water management, promoting livestock development, enhancing agricultural research, and expanding capacity-building initiatives. Both sides recognized significant potential to expand bilateral agricultural trade and private sector engagement, focusing on promoting trade in agricultural commodities, quality seeds, and value-added products.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to work toward constituting a Joint Working Group to prepare a structured roadmap for long-term cooperation in agriculture and livestock, facilitate regular institutional engagement, and identify new areas of collaboration based on mutual priorities.