The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Netherlands have agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture through centres of excellence, seed sector development and technology sharing. Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Dutch Agriculture Minister Mr. Silvio Erkens held bilateral talks in New Delhi on 28 September 2026 to review and expand ongoing agricultural partnership between the two countries.
Key facts
- Meeting held on 28 September 2026 in New Delhi
- Both sides discussed 25 Centres of Excellence in agriculture and horticulture sectors
- Agreement to develop a work plan for seed sector cooperation
- Focus areas include productivity through modern technology, innovation and knowledge exchange
- Dutch delegation led by Mr. Silvio Erkens, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature
- Indian delegation led by Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Agriculture Minister
Centres of Excellence planned
A key outcome of the talks was progress on establishing 25 Centres of Excellence across the agriculture and horticulture sectors. These centres are intended to serve as hubs for advancing agricultural practices and techniques. Both countries acknowledged that such facilities can play an important role in improving productivity and spreading modern methods across farming communities.
Seed sector cooperation
India and the Netherlands agreed to explore structured cooperation in the seed sector. Both sides committed to creating a work plan that will outline the specific areas where they will collaborate, establish clear objectives, and provide a framework for putting agreements into practice. This cooperation is aimed at strengthening seed production and quality across both nations.
Agricultural innovation and technology exchange
The discussions recognised that both India and the Netherlands have made significant progress in agricultural innovation and technology. The two countries agreed to identify potential areas where they can work together to combine their expertise. This includes knowledge exchange related to modern farming techniques, research advancements and technology adoption that can benefit the agriculture sector in both nations.
What this means for you
For Indian farmers, this agreement could lead to access to improved seed varieties and modern farming techniques through the Centres of Excellence being set up across the country. Agricultural researchers and students may benefit from knowledge and technology sharing with Dutch institutions, which are recognised for their agricultural expertise. Seed producers and agribusiness companies may find new opportunities for collaboration and market access through the formalised cooperation framework.
The focus on productivity through innovation and technology suggests that the cooperation will have practical applications in addressing agricultural challenges such as crop yields, sustainable farming practices and food security. Horticultural sectors in particular stand to gain from shared expertise in areas where the Netherlands has established capabilities.
Government delegation details
The Indian delegation included Shri Atish Chandra, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and Dr. M L Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), along with other senior officials. The Dutch side was represented by Mr. Marten van den Berg, Director General of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, Ms. Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in India, and other embassy officials.
Both countries have reiterated their commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity through collaborative efforts in technology adoption, research and development, and institutional capacity building.