The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) Argentina signed a bilateral cooperation agreement to strengthen research, technological development and knowledge transfer in the agricultural sector. The agreement establishes a common working framework for natural resource management and sustainable agronomy, with a focus on production practices adapted to different climatic contexts and agricultural systems.
The signing of the agreement is part of an agenda scientific collaboration between both countries, aimed at articulating institutional capacities to address common challenges related to food production, the sustainability of production systems and the integration of technologies applied in agriculture. The authorities involved stated that implementation will take place through joint research projects, technical exchanges and training programs.
The central axes of the agreement include: Zero tillage and other soil conservation practices, agricultural mechanization, and efficient water use through micro-irrigation andFertigation. These work areas aim to improve productivity and optimize the use of natural resources in various productive environments, both temperate and tropical.
The agreement also provides for the development and Digital farming tools appwith the aim of managing productive data, monitoring crops and making decisions based on systematized information. Within this framework, collaboration is planned in production systems that integrate precision technologies and analysis methods adapted to different scales.
Collaboration in soil, water and agricultural technology management
Another relevant chapter of the agreement is this Plant and animal biotechnology. The institutions agreed to collaborate on genetic improvement programs in both crops and livestock, with the aim of developing materials adapted to specific environmental conditions and different production needs.
In the livestock sector, the agreement includes Lines related to improving livestock husbandryPrecision animal husbandry and veterinary diagnostics. These measures aim to strengthen production systems through the use of technologies that allow optimizing processes, improving animal health and increasing production efficiency.
Germplasm exchange is one of the tools intended for this purpose Execution of the agreement. According to reports, this exchange will include species such as soybeans, sunflowers, corn, blueberries, citrus fruits, wild papaya and various types of guavas, in addition to selected horticultural crops.
The aim of this exchange is to expand the genetic basis for breeding programs. Research and Development, Comply with the legal framework applicable in both countries and facilitate joint work on crop improvement and adaptation of crops to different agroecological conditions.
Germ plasm exchange and biotechnological development
The collaboration will also extend to crop production technologies temperate and tropical zones. At this point, the agreement envisages greenhouse vegetable cultivation, flower cultivation and fruit cultivation, with particular attention to management systems and production practices.
For these segments the exchange of technical experiencesthe participation of specialists and the implementation of study visits. These examples will allow us to learn more about the production models and management systems implemented in each country and to evaluate their possible adaptation to other contexts.
In the area of post-harvest, the agreement includes key areas of work in post-harvest physiology and the development of functional foods. These measures aim to improve product preservation, optimize industrial processes and create added value in the stages following primary production.
The agreement also includes the development of technologies for the use of agricultural waste and the improvement of animal feed through the use of microorganisms with the aim of optimizing production efficiency and the use of inputs.
Horticultural production, post-harvest and value addition
The health component occupies a relevant place within the agreement. With regard to plant and animal health, the parties agreed to advance biosecurity measures and the strengthening of sanitary and phytosanitary systems through technical and scientific cooperation.
In particular, the plan is to develop regional strategies to eradicate foot and mouth disease, a disease with productive and commercial impacts. These measures will be complemented by strengthening epidemiological surveillance systems Veterinary diagnostics.
Both institutions also expressed their interest in deepening cooperation in the area of surveillance and Locust control. This collaboration will be carried out through technical exchanges, training and dissemination of monitoring and management practices in different regions.
The regional approach of these actions aims to improve the ability to respond to sanitary and phytosanitary events through coordination between technical organizations and the exchange of information and experiences.
Plant and animal health and pest control
The Indian ministry reported that bilateral cooperation also includes strengthening oilseeds and pulses value chains. Within this framework, joint actions related to production, agricultural mechanization and horticultural development are promoted.
The collaboration includes the development of productive infrastructure and the iseed exchange, with the aim of improving the efficiency of production systems and strengthening the connections between research, production and market.
The implementation of the agreement will be carried out through structured training programs aimed at technicians, researchers and professionals in the agricultural sector. These programs aim to strengthen and promote technical capacity Knowledge transfer between both institutions.
In addition, the participation of experts in specific projects as well as the implementation of face-to-face and virtual training is encouraged to ensure coordinated implementation of the planned measures.
Value chains, training and technology transfer
As part of the monitoring mechanism the ICAR and the INTA They agreed to annually assess the progress of the activities included in the agreement. These reviews allow results to be monitored, lines of work to be adjusted and new areas of collaboration to be defined.
Authorities said regular monitoring was an important tool to ensure the effective implementation of the agreement and ensure the continuity of projects over time.
The signing of this agreement consolidates an institutional framework for scientific and technological cooperation in the agricultural sector between the India and Argentina, based on the articulation of technical and scientific skills.
Through this agreement, both parties aim to strengthen their production systems and advance solutions based on applied research, technological innovation and sustainable management of natural resources.
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