India and Ukraine held their first Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on Agriculture today in a virtual format. The session was co-chaired by Shri Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (IC), Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Ms. Oksana Osmachko, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine. Officials from both sides hailed the meeting as a significant step toward deepening bilateral cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors.

During the meeting, Shri Ajeet Kumar Sahu outlined India’s advancements in agriculture, highlighting a range of government-led initiatives focused on digital innovation, climate-resilient farming, risk mitigation, and credit support. Key programs such as the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds, National Food Security Mission–Pulses, and e-NAM were discussed as pivotal efforts driving growth and rural development.

Ms. Oksana Osmachko reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to strengthening its agricultural partnership with India. She expressed keen interest in expanding collaboration in areas such as food processing, agricultural mechanisation, digital agriculture, genome editing, plant breeding, soil fertility, and mapping. She stressed the complementary strengths of both nations in boosting productivity, promoting mechanisation, and enhancing farmer welfare.

Discussions during the meeting covered a wide range of topics including horticulture, technology transfer, knowledge exchange, capacity building, research partnerships, and market access.

Senior representatives from key Indian departments and institutions attended the meeting, including the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Department of Fisheries, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the Ministry of External Affairs.