India has sought China’s cooperation in the agriculture sector to improve the bilateral trade in products like basmati rice, beef and fish between the two super powers of Asia. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh has discussed the important matters in detail with the Chinese delegation, led by its Agriculture Minister Han Changfu. The meeting is considered highly important as it is just being held ahead of Prime Minister’s maiden visit to China next week (May 14′ 2015).
The Minister said India and China had signed an MoU in 2006 in the field of agriculture, but he pointed out that “not much progress has been achieved so far.” The Minister has also added that India and China need to work together to identify key projects to give impetus to the cooperation under the ambit of the MoU.
India exported agri-products such as cotton, castor oil, frozen fish worth USD 2,803 million to China in 2013-14, while it imported farm products worth USD 304.31 million. The agricultural sector is very important throughout these countries as well as others who import and export goods of necessity, that is why the manufacturing of this is an essential part that can help with the cooperation as both sides need to know that they can manage the demands put forward with trade. Regular maintenance checks of machinery through resources such as Compressed Air and Vacuum Audits and electrical testing, for example, can provide the assistance needed for the businesses involved.
Chinese Agriculture Minister Han Changfu said India and China are neighboring countries and have large amount of people depending on agriculture. He also added if the two countries work together, it will benefit farmers in both countries.
Tidbits
- China produces food for 20% of World Population.
- China has more than 300 million farmers.
- China ranks first in the production agriculture goods such as rice, wheat, potatoes, tomato..etc
GK Questions
- Silk Fabric was first developed in which country? China.
- The largest consumer of Silk is ______? India.
- The country which has the unique distinction of producing all these commercial varieties of silk is _______? India.
