The Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries meeting at the level of agriculture ministers agreed to establish a joint bank for food and seed storage in each country. Such a decision has been made so that the BIMSTEC countries can enjoy it in case of emergency.

The third meeting held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Ramnath Adhikari agreed to promote regional agricultural trade. 

"At the meeting, it was agreed on the establishment of regional food storage and regional seed storage in the BIMSTEC countries," Agriculture Minister Adhikari told Kantipur, "Each country will collect food and use it in emergency situations." It has also been agreed to take special initiatives to develop the capacity of member states in the agricultural sector. At the

meeting, Agriculture Minister Adhikari emphasized the cooperation of BIMSTEC member countries for the development of the agricultural sector. He said that cooperation between all nations is necessary as the challenges are increased due to climate change and increasing use of pesticides. 

I am proud to play the role of the organizer and chairman of the common platform (meeting) of the BIMSTEC nations. The commitments issued through the joint statement will turn into practical initiatives to increase the productivity, sustainability and stability of the agricultural system in the member states, said the minister, adding that collective efforts are needed in research, technology transfer, climate adaptation and value chain development. This will contribute to achieving food sovereignty and economic prosperity of the people and the country.

India's Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Virajsingh Chauhan said that agriculture, livestock and fisheries have a lot of potential in BIMSTEC countries. He said that for this, all the member states should cooperate. In the meeting, there was also a discussion on promoting the cooperation of the regional agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries sector, and solving the main challenges related to agriculture. 

According to the action plan for the development of the agricultural sector, the possible activities were also discussed, according to the ministry. Before the ministerial meeting, a discussion was held between the top officials of the agricultural sector of the BIMSTEC countries under the chairmanship of Agriculture and Livestock Development Secretary Govinda Prasad Sharma. The agenda prepared by the top officials of the agriculture sector was approved by the ministerial meeting on Wednesday. In the meeting, the spokesperson of the ministry, Matina Joshi Vaidya, said that a new action plan for cooperation in BIMSTEC livestock and fisheries sector was also approved. 

'To promote innovation in the agricultural sector, BIMSTEC Center of Excellence and a concept for establishing digital public infrastructure in agricultural development was presented by member country India. The meeting has approved a new action plan to cooperate in the livestock and fisheries sector, she said. The meeting confirmed the important role of agriculture in ensuring food and nutrition security, promoting rural development, poverty reduction and sustainable development. 

Ministerial MoU signed with India

Minister of Agriculture Ramnath Adhikari has held separate meetings with the Ministers of Agriculture of India and Bhutan to develop Nepal's agriculture and livestock development sector. In a bilateral meeting between India's Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chauhan, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Nepal and India on agricultural research, technology development, crop production, agricultural market and trade. 

India's Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Virajsingh Chauhan and Nepal's Agriculture Minister Adhikari signed a ministerial-level memorandum of understanding to cooperate on issues such as crop protection, irrigation and organic farming. In the meeting, Agriculture Minister Adhikari emphasized the support of the Indian government in exporting Nepali agricultural products. In the meeting, Indian Agriculture Minister Chouhan promised to do more homework to solve the import-export problems of the two countries and facilitate them.

Agriculture Minister Adhikari also held a bilateral meeting with Bhutan's Agriculture Minister Lenpo Yon Ten Phuntso, the ministry said. In the meeting with the Agriculture Minister of Bhutan, organic farming research, technology development, climate-friendly agricultural development, exchange of genetic resources of agriculture and livestock, and agricultural trade were discussed.