India–Fiji Agriculture Ties Strengthen Through Key Collaborations on Technology, Research and Capacity Building
12 January 2026, New Delhi: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a bilateral meeting with Tomasi Tunabuna, Minister for Agriculture and Waterways of Fiji, at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday to advance India–Fiji cooperation in the agriculture sector. The discussions focused on expanding key collaborations across technology, research, capacity building and food security.
During the meeting, the Indian Minister highlighted the long-standing historical relationship between India and Fiji, underpinned by mutual respect, cultural affinity and strong people-to-people ties. He noted that agriculture and food security remain central pillars of bilateral engagement, given their importance to livelihoods and sustainable development in both countries.
Both sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and agreed on several forward-looking initiatives. These include extending the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation for another five years and establishing a Joint Working Group (JWG) to provide an institutional mechanism for implementing and monitoring collaborative activities.
Key areas of collaboration discussed during the talks covered student and academic exchanges, training and capacity-building programmes, and technology sharing. Particular emphasis was placed on small-scale farm machinery, digital agriculture tools, and practical solutions suited to smallholder farmers. The two ministers also explored opportunities to strengthen research infrastructure, promote genetic exchange initiatives, and enhance knowledge sharing on reducing food loss and waste across agricultural value chains.
The Fijian delegation included Charan Jeath Singh, Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and the Sugar Industry; H.E. Jagannath Sami, High Commissioner of Fiji to India; Dr. Vinesh Kumar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sugar; Nitya Reddy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fiji Sugar Corporation; and Paulo Daurewa, Counsellor at the High Commission of Fiji.
The Indian side was represented by Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; M. L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), along with other senior officials.
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