India-Kenya to Enhance Cooperation in Agricultural Land Development, Irrigation, Animal Husbandry, and Research
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shyam Singh Rana, today met with Patrick Ole Ntutu, Governor of Narok County, Kenya, to explore opportunities for strengthening agricultural cooperation between India and Kenya.
The leaders held detailed discussions on several key areas, including agricultural land development, modernization of irrigation systems, innovation in the animal husbandry sector, and enhancing collaboration in agricultural research and technology.
Rana highlighted Haryana’s progress under its crop diversification policy, the adoption of micro-irrigation systems, and the use of drone-based technologies in agriculture. He said that these initiatives have led to significant improvements in both agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes. He emphasized that Kenya could also benefit from implementing similar technologies and practices.
He further underscored the importance of joint research initiatives, training programs, and expert exchanges between CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, and Kenya's agricultural research institutions. Such collaborations, he said, would help farmers in both countries adopt emerging technologies and improve resilience in the agriculture sector.
Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu praised the Haryana government's progressive agricultural policies and technological innovations. He expressed keen interest in adopting similar modern agricultural practices in Narok County and welcomed Haryana’s support in this regard. He said that such cooperation would be instrumental in increasing farmers' incomes and promoting sustainable agricultural development in Kenya.
Rana, is currently on a five-day official visit to Nairobi, Kenya, from October 9 to 13. He is accompanied by a 20-member Indian delegation. The purpose of the visit is to enhance bilateral cooperation between India and Kenya in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, and agri-based trade, as well as to promote the exchange of modern agricultural technologies.
As part of the visit, the Haryana delegation held meetings with senior officials from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). These discussions focused on research advancements in maize and wheat cultivation, agricultural mechanization, climate-resilient strategies, and the adoption of advanced agri-technologies.
A key outcome of the visit was the agreement to initiate exchange programs between agricultural universities and research institutions in both countries. These programs aim to foster collaboration in agricultural research, capacity building through training, and the development and dissemination of innovative technologies for farmers.