Clinton goes to Pusa,hints farm grants may be coming India’s way

“Our observation is that our aid money to Indian farmers produces better results than other ways,” she added while talking to reporters after her tour to a research site at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute.

In a significant shift in focus — from food aid to practical help for local agriculture — the richer nations have pledged $20 billion to fight global hunger. The fund is aimed at reversing the longstanding trend of underinvestment in agriculture and food security.

Clinton expressed the US commitment to explore all possibilities of partnership to help India raise its agriculture productivity,through collaboration in sectors like seed and food processing.

“We will be announcing the five pillars of our cooperation with India,” Clinton said. “One of the strongest will be agriculture. India’s leadership in agriculture is absolutely crucial. We will support Indian initiatives. It is imperative that we invest in science that increases crop yield.”

India and the US have agreed to restructure bilateral interactions into “five pillars”. These have been identified as Strategic and Defence Cooperation,Science & Technology and Health Innovation,Energy and Climate Change,Education and Development,and Economic,Trade and Agriculture.

Clinton said the approach to the agriculture should be more “holistic” which should enhance farmers’ income by ensuring that a higher proportion of each “food dollar” is spent benefiting farmers.

In this context,she suggested the need for links between the labs developing new agricultural technologies and the farmers. The private sector,universities,research laboratories and institutions,and NGOs have crucial role to play here.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar,who received Clinton during her visit to IARI,also lauded the Indo-US bilateral dialogue on agriculture,saying the announcement of “five pillars” will redefine agenda,which will identify areas of common interest for both countries.