New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Agriculture Department, Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy, Republic of Seychelles, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agricultural research and education, an official statement said on Wednesday.

The MoU was also signed to boost capacity building and technology transfer between the two countries in these areas, it said.

The agreement was signed during the official visit of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Republic of Seychelles.

The MoU provides a framework for promoting joint research programmes, exchange of scientists, researchers and students, and sharing of advanced agricultural technologies and best practices.

To operationalise the agreement, both sides also signed a five-year Work Plan (2026–2031), which focuses on key areas including climate-smart agriculture, horticulture, post-harvest management, livestock development and sustainable food and nutritional security.

The collaboration aims to strengthen institutional linkages, improve agricultural productivity, build technical capacity, and support sustainable agricultural development while addressing emerging challenges such as climate change and food security.

With more than 100 Memoranda of Understanding signed with partner institutions across the world, ICAR continues to expand India’s global agricultural partnerships, the statement from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare said.

The MoU with Seychelles further reinforces India’s engagement with the Global South and its commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture, innovation and global food and nutritional security through international cooperation, the statement noted.

India and Seychelles earlier this week signed agreements to strengthen bilateral ties across trade, digital technology and agriculture following talks between PM Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie.

The two countries agreed on several major initiatives, including the umbrella line of credit agreement for Rs 1,250 crore between the Export-Import Bank of India and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment of Seychelles, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

—IANS

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