Speech by the Ambassador at Round Table on Agriculture Cooperation

Bishkek, 15 July 2015

Dear Minister for Agriculture of the Kyrgyz Republic, Secretary of Agriculture of the Republic of India, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to India, Representatives of FICCI, JIA and friends,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the First Round Table on Agriculture Cooperation in Bishkek.

As all of you know that Prime Minister of India visited Kyrgyzstan just three days back. The last team, which came for the preparation, has left yesterday evening. In case you have not noticed earlier let me mention to you that the Joint Statement issued by the leaders of the two countries discussed this sector and let me quote, "Underlining the fact that more than sixty percent of the population in India and the Kyrgyz Republic works in the agriculture sector, the Sides reaffirmed the importance of meaningful collaboration in the agriculture sector. The Indian side offered to share experience in agro-processing, greenhouse technology, water conservation, and agricultural research in order to enhance productivity and add value to agricultural produce. The Sides welcomed the round table to be held shortly in Bishkek on strengthening cooperation in the Agriculture sector to identify avenues and concrete projects for cooperation in this sector."

It is quite satisfying that while the Joint Statement was issued on 12th July, we already have gathered to implement one of the decisions. Since we have Deputy Agriculture Minister of India, I do not need to give you too many details about the sector. But I must say that we have come a long-way in the last 68 years of India's independence. In phases we launched different revolutions, viz., green revolution for increasing crop productivity, white revolution for increasing milk production, blue revolution for increasing fish production etc. Thus today, India has not only achieved food security but is also an exporter of agriculture products.

Since Kyrgyzstan is also an agriculture based country, there could be various ways for cooperation. The areas could be import and export; agro-processing; production and certification of organic food etc. I have been trying to increase cooperation in this sector for last two years, however, so far there is no concrete result.

In general-terms, areas for cooperation are known, therefore I would like to appeal to you all to be specific and hope that at the end of the round-table you come-up with a concrete outcome at least in few areas, so that the session does not remain a brain-storming session, but marks beginning of working together.

I wish the Round table all the success.

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