September 1, 2021
2 mins read

BIMSTEC members should enhance engagement in agri-sector: India

Agriculture is one of the most important of the 14 sectors as about 1.7 billion plus people i.e., 22 per cent of the global population lives in BIMSTEC countries…reports Asian Lite News

India, which hosted the 8th meeting of agriculture experts of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries, on Tuesday called for enhancing the engagement in agriculture and allied sectors amongst the BIMSTEC member states.

Highlighting the UN Food System Summit 2021 and the transformations that are happening in the agriculture and food systems globally, India’s Secretary, Agricultural Research & Education and Indian Council of Agricultural Research Director General, Dr Trilochan Mohapatra sought enhanced engagement and deepening of cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors amongst the BIMSTEC member states by encouraging the exchange of knowledge, germplasm, students, and experts.

He also emphasised addressing biosafety and biosecurity concerns and promoting digital agriculture along with the trade of technologies for developing resilient agriculture, food systems and value chains, a release said here.

Mohapatra chaired the daylong virtual meeting with Myanmar’s Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Ministry’s Deputy Director General, Planning, Dr Thanda Kyi, as the co-chair. Experts in agricultural and people from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand participated in the meeting, the release said.

The BIMSTEC member states appreciated the greater engagement of India offering six slots of scholarships each for Masters and PhD programmes in agriculture and its other initiatives for capacity development and training including the development of seed sectors.

The cooperation in the areas of high impact transboundary diseases of livestock and poultry, aquatic animal diseases and biosecurity in aquaculture, and digitalisation to promote precision farming was also discussed in the meeting.

The BIMSTEC provides a unique link between south and southeast Asia with five countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka from South Asia and Myanmar and Thailand from southeast Asia coming together on one platform for cooperation in 14 key economic and social sectors of the economy.

The BIMSTEC was founded in 1997 with an ambition to pursue mutual trade, connectivity, and cultural, technical, and economic development in the region. Initially, six sectors- trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism, and fisheries were included for sectoral cooperation, which was later expanded to 14 areas of cooperation.

Agriculture is one of the most important of the 14 sectors as about 1.7 billion plus people i.e., 22 per cent of the global population lives in BIMSTEC countries and agriculture & allied activities are central to the economic and social development of the region, the release added.

ALSO READ: India, Bahrain celebrate golden jubilee of diplomatic ties

Previous Story

AAP to contest all 403 seats in UP, no alliances

Next Story

India carries out maritime drills with Algeria and Morocco

Latest from -Top News

UAE-India pact fuels future biz leaders

MoU between ADSM and UIBC-UC to foster entrepreneurship, mentorship, and collaborative research between UAE and India through 2028 In a landmark partnership aimed at cultivating the next generation of global business leaders,

‘1,563 Indians deported from US so far’

Though the ministry did not specify the reasons behind the deportations, the figure reflects a sharp uptick in removals under the Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement…reports Asian Lite News More

Why TRF’s Terror Tag Matters

This wasn’t just counterterror—it was a signal. India fused intel, precision strikes, and tech for a swift, strategic blow. TRF wasn’t just named—it was hit….writes John Spencer  Today, July 17, 2025, the

Jaishankar Hails TRF Terror Tag

The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, made the official announcement on Thursday…reports Asian Lite News Reacting to the US designating The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Srinagar recognised as ‘World Craft City’

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the recognition

India, France agree on blue economy roadmap and ocean governance

India and France underscored that fisheries are a vital economic