A virtual meeting was recently held between India’s Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and a member of the European Commission (EC) related to agriculture. This meeting reaffirmed the growing relations between India and the EU, and built upon progress made since the India-EU Summit in July 2020.
In addition, Indian Prime Minister recently took part in the India-European Union Leaders’ Meeting, further emphasizing the strong ties between the two entities.
Key Topics of the Meeting
A range of important agricultural policies and strategies were discussed during the meeting, including the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the EU Farm to Fork Strategy.
The CAP, launched in 1962 and updated regularly since, aims to support farmers, improve agricultural productivity, ensure a stable supply of affordable food, safeguard EU farmers, and address environmental concerns like climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources.
Meanwhile, the EU Farm to Fork Strategy, integral to the European Green Deal, is designed to make food systems fair, healthy, and environmentally-friendly. The EU has also committed to bringing 25% of its land under Organic Farming by 2030 as part of its sustainability goals.
G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting 2021 and UN Food System Summit 2021
The G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting 2021 is one of the ministerial meetings organized as part of the G20 Leaders Summit 2021. The focus for this year will be on three broad interconnected pillars of action: People, Planet, Prosperity. Both India and the EU are keen on enhancing bilateral cooperations at this summit.
Furthermore, the United Nations Food System Summit 2021 is being organized for the first time where strategies for positive change in Agri-food systems will be discussed in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
India’s Stand on Agriculture Policies
In India, 70% of rural households continue to rely primarily on agriculture for their livelihood, and 82% of the country’s farmers are small to marginal. Recognizing this, India has launched several initiatives including the Rs One Lakh Crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund for the development of farm gate and agriculture marketing infrastructure in rural areas, and a scheme to form 10,000 Farmer Produce Organizations (FPOs) to aid small and marginal farmers in marketing their agricultural produce.
India has also taken steps to make agriculture sustainable and environmentally friendly, such as the application of Nano-urea and the promotion of Organic Farming under the Pramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.
European Commission (EC)
As an executive body of the EU, the EC is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding EU treaties, and managing the day-to-day business of the EU. The Commission is divided into departments known as Directorates-General (DGs) that can be likened to departments or ministries headed by a director-general who reports to a commissioner.
This body operates as a cabinet government, with one member from each EU — altogether 28 members — proposed by member countries. These proposed members must then receive approval from the European Parliament. The Commission President, also, is proposed by the European Council and elected by the European Parliament.
Looking Forward: India-EU Cooperation
For a sustainable future, it is crucial for India to engage EU countries in the Indo-pacific narrative, mobilize economic resources for regional infrastructure, and leverage its significant soft power to shape the Indo-Pacific discourse.
Moreover, India and the European Union have been negotiating a free trade deal since 2007. To achieve closer convergence, both entities should expedite the finalization of this trade deal.
Last Modified: February 15, 2024