New Delhi: India took a leading role in fostering regional agricultural collaboration at the Third BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (BAMM) held in Kathmandu, Nepal. Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, represented India at the high-level gathering, which included Agriculture Ministers and senior officials from BIMSTEC member nations—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The one-day event focused on enhancing cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock among the BIMSTEC countries. The meeting also provided a strategic platform to assess the progress of the BIMSTEC Plan of Action for Agricultural Cooperation (2023-2027) and to further consolidate collective efforts toward sustainable agricultural development in the Bay of Bengal region.
India’s Vision for Agricultural Transformation
In his address, Shri Chouhan emphasized that BIMSTEC aligns seamlessly with India’s foreign policy priorities under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies. He highlighted the unique historical and cultural ties that connect South and Southeast Asian nations, calling BIMSTEC a "natural choice" for enhanced regional cooperation.
Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has undertaken a series of transformative steps in the agricultural sector. Shri Chouhan outlined targeted initiatives such as:
Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to farmers
Soil Health Card Scheme
National Food Security Mission
PM Fasal Bima Yojana (Crop Insurance)
Improved institutional credit access
Namo Drone Didi Scheme – empowering women by providing agricultural drones
He stressed India's push for organic and natural farming, integrated with a strong commitment to environmental protection and soil health management, as key strategies for sustainable agricultural growth.
Harnessing Technology for Agricultural Empowerment
The Minister underscored the pivotal role of digital technologies in modernizing Indian agriculture. “Digital empowerment of farmers is critical to our mission. From precision agriculture to AI-driven insights, India is transforming the agricultural landscape,” he said. This includes the use of drones, satellite mapping, and mobile platforms to improve crop yields, manage risks, and ensure better market access.
He also highlighted the importance of inclusive growth, gender equality, and climate resilience in shaping a sustainable agri-future.
Proposal for BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in India
To institutionalize agricultural cooperation across member nations, Shri Chouhan proposed the creation of a ‘BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Agriculture Cooperation’ in India. The center will focus on:
Precision agriculture
Climate risk mitigation
Gender-responsive practices
Natural farming methods
Integration of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies
The proposed institution aims to serve as a knowledge and innovation hub, enabling capacity building and skill exchange among BIMSTEC nations to ensure food, nutrition, and livelihood security.
Education and Capacity Building Support
Shri Chouhan noted that India is also investing in human capital development within BIMSTEC through fully funded scholarships for M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in agriculture for students from member countries. Training sessions and workshops have already been organized on seed development, animal health, and pest management under the existing framework of cooperation.
Invitation to WAVES-2025
The Minister extended a warm invitation to all BIMSTEC member countries to participate in the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES-2025), scheduled to be held in Mumbai from May 1–4, 2025. The event aims to bring together creative minds from across the world in entertainment, digital innovation, and media collaboration. Shri Chouhan described it as an opportunity to foster cross-cultural exchange and cooperation in the creative economy.
A Shared Future for Sustainable Agriculture
In conclusion, Shri Chouhan thanked the BIMSTEC member nations for their active involvement in advancing the Plan of Action for Agricultural Cooperation (2023–2027). He applauded efforts to strengthen fisheries and livestock development for livelihood improvement and food security in the region.
He reiterated India’s unwavering commitment to the BIMSTEC vision and called for collective resilience in tackling agricultural challenges, ensuring climate-smart practices, and promoting sustainable food systems.
> “BIMSTEC is at the heart of India’s vision for a food-secure, sustainable, and technologically empowered agricultural future,” Shri Chouhan concluded.
[Reported by Amit Deshmukh]
