India, New Zealand to sign MoU on agri sector

NEW DELHI: India and New Zealand are likely join hands soon for exchange technology transfer and research in the agriculture sector.

"We are in the process of finalising a few things at the official level in this regard," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told reporters here after meeting his New Zealand counterpart Jim Anderton.

Both the countries are likely to sign a memorandum of understanding in the farm sector shortly, which would also encourage private sector investment.

New Zealand has offered its expertise in horticulture, dairy and meat sectors to India, Pawar said. He said the MoU aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation and bilateral trade between both countries.

Among others, the proposed MoU between the Agriculture Ministries of the two countries would cover agriculture and allied activities, including food processing, agricultural research and phytosanitary issues relating to trade in plants and animal products.

India and New Zealand already have an MoU on plant quarantine issues, another tripartite MoU is being discussed among Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Land Care Research and Massey University, New Zealand.