India and Germany reaffirmed their strong agricultural partnership today as the 8th Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting on Agriculture took place in New Delhi. Co-chaired by Ms. Alka Upadhyay, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Ms. Silvia Bender, State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the meeting focused on deepening collaboration in key areas such as digital agriculture, mechanization, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
In her address, Ms. Upadhyay highlighted the longstanding cooperation between India and Germany, emphasizing the mutual benefits of agricultural trade and technology exchange. She pointed to existing collaborations in agroecology, sustainable seed production, and digital farming as examples of how both nations are working towards more resilient agricultural practices. Germany’s support in technological advancements and research has played a significant role in India’s efforts to modernize its agricultural sector.
Ms. Silvia Bender echoed these sentiments, expressing Germany’s appreciation for the continued partnership and its commitment to addressing shared agricultural challenges. She emphasized that innovation and knowledge-sharing will be key to tackling global food security concerns and improving sustainability in farming practices. Germany, she noted, is keen to contribute expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, pest management, and agricultural digitization.
The meeting also featured a detailed presentation by Mr. Ajeet Kumar Sahu, who outlined India’s recent agricultural achievements. He spoke about government initiatives like the Digital Agriculture Mission, the Lakhpati Didi Program, and efforts to empower farmers through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Other programs, such as Natural and Organic Farming, Crop Insurance, and the e-NAM digital marketplace, have been instrumental in modernizing Indian agriculture and supporting rural communities.
Discussions also touched upon the increasing role of AI and digital tools in farming, particularly in disease and pest management. Experts from both sides shared insights on how emerging technologies can help improve productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability.
The German delegation included representatives from BMEL and various affiliated institutions, while the Indian side saw participation from officials across multiple departments, including Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Fisheries, Food Processing Industries, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The meeting underscored the shared vision of India and Germany in building a future-ready agricultural sector, one that embraces innovation while remaining deeply committed to farmers’ welfare and sustainable practices. As both countries continue to explore new avenues for collaboration, their partnership stands as a testament to the importance of global cooperation in securing food security and economic growth.
