Chouhan Highlights Digital Empowerment of Farmers and Urges Participation in WAVES-2025
KATHMANDU / Nepal, 14 April 2025: Indian Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, led the Indian delegation at the 3rd BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (BAMM) held in Kathmandu recently.
The one-day event brought together Agriculture Ministers and senior officials from BIMSTEC member nations – India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka – to foster enhanced regional cooperation in agricultural development.
Over the past decade, BIMSTEC has emerged as a crucial platform for promoting regional development, connectivity, and economic progress in the Bay of Bengal region. With “Agriculture and Food Security” identified as a core area of cooperation, this third BAMM meeting aimed to build upon previous discussions and accelerate progress in the agricultural sector, including fisheries and livestock.
In his address, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized the strategic importance of BIMSTEC for India's “Neighbourhood First” and “Act East Policy,” highlighting the region's shared history and cultural heritage. He underscored the Indian government's commitment to empowering farmers through targeted measures, including direct cash transfers, improved access to institutional credit, Soil Health Cards, the National Food Security Mission, crop insurance, and the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, which provides drones to women. He also stressed India’s focus on leveraging digital technologies to enhance agricultural practices, alongside promoting organic and natural farming for environmental protection and soil health.
Shri Chouhan reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening agricultural cooperation within BIMSTEC and highlighted India’s initiatives under the BIMSTEC Agriculture Cooperation (2023-2027), including organizing training and workshops in seed development, animal health, and pest management. He also mentioned India's fully funded BIMSTEC scholarships for students from member nations pursuing M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in India, demonstrating a commitment to capacity building in the region.
To further enhance collaboration, India proposed the establishment of a “BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Agriculture Cooperation in India.” This center will focus on precision agriculture, climate risk mitigation, natural farming, gender equality, and artificial intelligence, serving as a platform for knowledge sharing and skill development in emerging agricultural technologies.
Chouhan also extended an invitation to BIMSTEC member countries to participate in the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES-2025), announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scheduled to be held in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025. This summit aims to foster creativity, technological innovation, and collaboration within the global media and entertainment industry.
He expressed gratitude to the BIMSTEC leaders for their efforts in implementing the Plan of Action for Strengthening BIMSTEC Agricultural Cooperation (2023-2027) and for their commitment to enhancing cooperation in sustainable fisheries and livestock development to improve livelihoods and ensure food security in the region. He concluded by reiterating India's commitment to making BIMSTEC a central force in ensuring food security, climate adaptation, and sustainable agriculture in the region.
