Kathmandu: Nepal and India have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in agricultural science and technology, replacing the previous agreement signed in December 1991.

The MoU was signed in Kathmandu by Nepal’s Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari, and India’s Minister for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The agreement covers a wide range of areas, including crop production, agricultural trade and marketing, plant protection, horticulture, organic farming, climate-resilient agriculture, and post-harvest management.

The agreement also focuses on promoting integrated farming systems, micro-irrigation, natural resource management, and the use of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides to support sustainable agricultural practices.

Minister Chouhan, currently on a three-day official visit to Nepal, also met with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday. According to a statement from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, Chouhan conveyed greetings from the Indian leadership and discussed ways to deepen India-Nepal cooperation in agriculture. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening historical and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The Indian Minister is in Kathmandu to attend the 3rd BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture (BAMM), held on Wednesday. The forum, which includes member states from the Bay of Bengal region, has identified “Agriculture and Food Security” as a core area of collaboration. Ministers from member countries discussed strategies to advance cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock.

During the meeting, Chouhan congratulated Nepal for successfully hosting the event and reviewed progress on bilateral agricultural initiatives and development projects.