By Our Staff Reporter
DEHRADUN, 3 May: A high-level international discussion on agricultural cooperation between Nepal and Uttarakhand was held on Saturday in Doon. Terming the event as a landmark moment for both regions, Uttarakhand’s Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi said that the relationship between India and Nepal is one of deep cultural and emotional ties—symbolized by the age-old ‘Roti-Beti’ bond. He highlighted the spiritual connection between the two nations through revered sites like Kedarnath in India and Pashupatinath in Nepal.
Minister Joshi noted that while Uttarakhand’s Terai and Bhabar regions are suitable for food grain production, the hill regions hold vast potential for horticulture and aromatic plant cultivation. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for the steady development of the agricultural sector in the state. He also emphasized ongoing initiatives like cluster farming, ultra-high-density apple orchards, and organic and aromatic farming.
He appealed to the visiting Nepalese delegation to collaborate with Uttarakhand in agriculture and horticulture to create new opportunities for employment and economic prosperity in both regions. Minister Joshi expressed confidence that this meeting would lay the foundation for long-term cooperation and open new avenues in the agriculture sector.
The event was organized by the Uttarakhand Department of Agriculture. During the session, presentations and short films showcased the state’s achievements in agriculture, horticulture, and aromatic farming. Minister Joshi welcomed Nepal’s Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah with a bouquet and a replica of the Kedarnath temple, and extended greetings to the entire visiting delegation. Progressive farmers like Prem Chand Sharma, Manmohan Bhardwaj, and Ajaypal Singh Panwar also participated in welcoming the Nepalese guests. Additionally, an 11-member delegation from the Gorkhali community, led by Captain (Retd) Padam Singh Thapa, welcomed the Nepalese Chief Minister.
Responding to India’s invitation, Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah of Nepal’s Sudurpashchim Province underscored the deep socio-cultural and geographical ties between India and Nepal. He noted the strong resemblance in lifestyle, cuisine, attire, and spiritual beliefs between the people of both countries—especially in border states like Uttarakhand. He emphasized that this bond is not limited to diplomacy, but rooted deeply in people’s hearts.
Appreciating India’s rapid progress in recent years, Chief Minister Shah described Uttarakhand’s efforts in natural and organic farming as exemplary. These initiatives, he said, not only promote environmental sustainability but also enhance farmers’ income. He expressed special thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fostering development and regional cooperation, and added that India-Nepal friendship is a shared legacy that will be further strengthened in the future. He also raised important cross-border issues such as the Pancheshwar dam project and bridge construction in Dharchula. Concluding his remarks, he invited Minister Ganesh Joshi to visit Nepal’s Sudurpashchim Province.
The Nepalese delegation included Agriculture Minister Veer Bahadur Thapa, Chief Secretary Kamal Prasad Pokharel, and Chief Minister’s Political Advisor Jeetu Upadhyay. From Uttarakhand, participants included Joint Director of Horticulture Ratan Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Pantnagar University Manmohan Singh Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor of HNB Garhwal University Parvinder Kaushal, and senior government officials such as Balraj Basi, Bhupesh Upadhyay, Girish Dobhal, and Bhuvan Vikram Dabral.
Senior officials present included Agriculture Secretary Surendra Narayan Pandey, Director General of Agriculture and Horticulture Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Additional Secretary Anand Srivastava, university vice-chancellors, department officials, and progressive farmers.
