India-US launch innovative agriculture programme to address global challenges

Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare S.K Pattanayak and U.S Ambassador to India Richard R. Vera launched the programme together at the National Agriculture Science Complex in New Delhi. 

 

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said that in order to continue our successful partnership programme covering more countries in Africa and Asia, MANAGE as lead institution representing Govt. of India and USAID representing US Government signed a Limited Scope Cooperation Agreement( LSCA) on 7th November, 2005. 

 

The new programme will be called as “Feed The Future: India Triangular Training Programme”, in which 32 Training programme of 15 days duration will be conducted in India and 12 Training programs of 10 days duration will be conducted in selected African and Asian Countries during 2016-20 i.e., for 4 years. The entire expenditure including participants travel, insurance, lodging, boarding, local travel and programme fee will be met by USAID and MANAGE. The training areas will be identified based on demand analysis conducted in participating countries. 

 

S.K Pattanayak informed that 17 countries covered under the programme are Kenya, Malawi, Liberia, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Tanzania, Sudan, Botswana, Ethiopia in Africa and Afghanistan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Mongolia, and Vietnam in Asia. Also faculty of MANAGE visited Cambodia and Vietnam in Asia and Tanzania and Mozambique in Africa as part of Demand analysis. 

 

U.S Ambassador Richard R. Verma said that by harnessing the expertise and innovation of out two great countries, we are unlocking new opportunities to address global development challenges, bringing us closure to our shared objective of eliminating global poverty and hunger. 

 

Verma emphasized that the United States and India remain committed to their partnership of working, together to break the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger. Through sharing agriculture innovations worldwide, the U.S and India will help other countries develop their agriculture sectors, helping promote global prosperity and stability. 

 

Deputy High Commissioner, Kenya High Commission in India, Belinda A. Omino, Mission Director, USAID in India, Ambassador,  Jonathan S. Addleton and Director General, MANAGE,  V. Usha Rani were also present on the occasion.