Ministers sign a Joint Declaration of Intent on cooperation in agriculture market development

 Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare met Ms. Julia Klockner, German Minister of Food & Agriculture in New Delhi, today. The Ministers signed a Joint Declaration of Intent between India & Germany on cooperation in agriculture market development. During the meeting, Shri Tomar said that India’s priority has shifted from production centric to farmer centric, and the goal of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 by improving productivity, lowering input cost, creating competitive markets and strengthening the value chain for agriculture and allied sectors. The Minister also mentioned that the Agriculture Export Policy 2018 targets doubling of agriculture exports to US $60 billion by 2022. Ms. Julia Klockner said that Germany has expertise in Mechanization and Post harvest Management and added that she thinks this shall play a major role in achieving doubling farmers’ income. The German Minister also impressed upon continuing the discussions of Working Group started in 2008 on the issues like Food Safety, Consumer protection and hoped that topics discussed are implemented.