New Delhi: India and ASEAN countries have identified low-emission rice, water productivity, AI-enabled digital agriculture and resilient value chains as the key areas for scalable cooperation.
At the 9th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry in the national capital on Wednesday, the participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to building a more food-secure, sustainable and resilient agricultural future.
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The meeting was chaired by Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, the Philippines, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, India, an official statement said.
"The meeting placed strong emphasis on practical, farmer-centred cooperation and strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in agriculture and forestry," it added.
The ministers welcomed ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future and the ASEAN Food, Agriculture and Forestry Sectoral Plan 2026-2030 as strategic frameworks for advancing sustainable and resilient development.
They looked forward to the adoption and implementation of the ASEAN-India Medium-Term Plan of Action for Cooperation in Agriculture and Forestry 2026-2030, with priorities spanning policy dialogue, digital innovation, technology cooperation, joint research, capacity building and farmer exchanges.
Climate-resilient agriculture, low-emission rice, water productivity, AI-enabled digital agriculture, soil health, food safety, post-harvest management, circular bioeconomy, agroforestry and resilient value chains were key areas identified at the meeting for practical and scalable cooperation.
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The ministers stressed stronger linkages among research institutions, technology developers, extension agencies, the private sector and farmers to accelerate the wider adoption of agricultural innovations.
The meeting emphasised strengthening market connectivity, value addition and agricultural and forestry logistics.
The need for greater collaboration was felt to address various challenges such as climate change, extreme weather events, geopolitical and economic uncertainties, input-market volatility, trade disruptions, and transboundary pests and diseases.
At the meeting, 'India-ASEAN Friendship Spike for Agriculture and Forestry' was unveiled symbolising the enduring partnership and shared commitment of India and ASEAN towards agricultural and forestry cooperation.
The 10th ASEAN-India Agriculture Working Group meeting was held on September 8 2026, in New Delhi, bringing together 45 delegates from 11 ASEAN Member States for deliberations focused on strengthening ASEAN-India cooperation in agriculture and forestry, the statement said.
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