NEW DELHI, 18 June 2025: In a key step towards strengthening agricultural diplomacy, India and Ukraine held their first Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on Agriculture in a virtual format on Wednesday. The meeting was co-chaired by Shri Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Ms. Oksana Osmachko, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.
Both sides acknowledged the meeting as a landmark in building long-term bilateral cooperation in the agriculture and allied sectors, aiming to leverage each country’s unique strengths and innovations.
Representing India, Shri Sahu presented an overview of India’s agriculture sector, highlighting significant government initiatives that have driven modernization and resilience. Key programs mentioned included the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds, National Food Security Mission – Pulses, and the digital agri-marketplace e-NAM. He also underlined the use of climate-resilient practices, digital tools, and risk mitigation strategies to improve farmer outcomes.
In her address, Ms. Osmachko reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to enhancing agri-partnerships with India, identifying food processing, agricultural mechanisation, genome editing, digital agriculture, and soil fertility mapping as areas ripe for collaboration. She emphasized that the combined agricultural experience of both nations could lead to innovative solutions for boosting productivity and farmers' well-being.
The discussions focused on a wide range of collaborative opportunities, including:
- Technology transfer in farming and mechanisation
- Research and development in crop genetics and soil health
- Knowledge sharing and capacity building
- Market access and policy frameworks
- Cooperation in horticulture and agri-processing
Senior officials from multiple Indian ministries and institutions participated, including representatives from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Department of Fisheries, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, FSSAI, and the Ministry of External Affairs.
As global food systems face the dual challenges of climate change and supply chain disruptions, the India-Ukraine JWG aims to serve as a platform for mutual learning, innovation, and resilience-building in agriculture.
This meeting sets the stage for further institutional cooperation and future joint projects to modernize agriculture and support farmers across both countries.
