Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, met with Tomasi Tunabuna, Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, on Friday at Krishi Bhawan to discuss ongoing collaboration and explore future areas of cooperation, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

The ministers held productive talks on various issues of mutual interest. They agreed to extend the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another five years and to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) to further bilateral cooperation. Key areas discussed included student exchanges, training and capacity-building programs, technology sharing for small-scale machinery, and digital agriculture tools. The discussions also focused on enhancing research infrastructure, genetic exchange initiatives, and sharing knowledge to reduce food loss and waste.

Minister Chouhan shared details of the meeting on X, highlighting India’s historical ties with Fiji, strengthened by mutual respect, cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people connections. He emphasized that both nations recognize agriculture and food security as crucial areas of bilateral engagement.

The Fijian delegation included CharanJeath Singh, Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and the Sugar Industry; Jagannath Sami, High Commissioner of Fiji; Vinesh Kumar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sugar; Nitya Reddy, Chairman of the Fiji Sugar Corporation; and Paulo Daurewa, Counsellor at the High Commission of Fiji. Representing India were Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; M. L. Jat, Secretary of DARE; and other senior officials.