ICAR signed MoU with the Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
December 12, 2011

Shri Rajiv Mehrishi, Additional Secretary, DARE & Secretary, ICAR on behalf of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Dr. Solomon Assefa, Director General of Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of agricultural research and education on December 12, 2011 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  Shri Wondirad Mandefro, Hon’ble State Minister for Agriculture of Ethiopia graced the occasion. 

The priority areas of cooperation include agricultural research in Horticulture, Crop Science, Fisheries, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering and Natural Resource Management, Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Education.  The cooperation will be implemented through exchange of scientists, scholars, technologies, literature, information and germplasm and collaborative research projects.  Precise areas of collaboration were also discussed and a draft biennial workplan was developed and shared. 

The Indian delegation led by Shri Mehrishi comprised of Dr. Arvind Kumar, DDG (Education); Dr. K.M.L. Pathak, DDG (Animal Science) and Dr. R.K.Mittal, ADG (EQR), ICAR.  The delegation also called on Shri Tefera Derbew, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture of Ethiopia who appreciated the science-led agricultural growth in India and desired to have greater cooperation with Indian Agricultural Research and Education System for development of Ethiopian agriculture leading to food security and sustainability.  The delegation had detailed discussions with the Commissioner for Human Resources, Science & Technology at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.  Various issues related to on-going India-Africa Fellowship Programme and setting up a Centre on Life and Earth Sciences by India under India-Africa Forum Summit were discussed.  The Team also visited the International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa; Holetta Agricultural Research Centre of EIAR and the Karuturi farms. 

(Source: Education Division, ICAR)