The India National Seed Corporation (NSC) will provide training and consultancy work for farmers and staff at the Ministry of Agriculture.
This latest development follows a visit by a Fijian delegation to the NSC in India where issues concerning Fiji’s agriculture sector were raised. Led by the Hon. Minister for Agriculture Inia Seruiratu, the delegation met with senior officials at the Indian company, which undertakes the production of foundation and certified seed.
During talks with NSC senior officials, Minister Seruiratu requested assistance and support from the company on seed production. He highlighted challenges faced by Fiji’s agriculture sector and pointed out the need to explore new seed varieties, seed genetics and seed breeders. The Minister said the Fijian Government through his Ministry would welcome exchange of ideas and practices especially on NSC’s own seed infrastructure, seed systems and seed policy.
To accommodate this, the NSC agreed to assist the Fijian Ministry of Agriculture by providing seed experts and consultants and to provide training to Fijian farmers and staff at the Agriculture Ministry. The NSC will also assist in the development of seed system/matching system/varietal release system.
To process this latest development, a Memorandum of Understanding will be pursued and facilitated through the Fiji High Commission in New Delhi, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian High Commission in Fiji and the Ministry of Agriculture in both countries.
The NSC is part of the India Ministry of Agriculture and was established for the development of seed research, seed infrastructure, seed production, seed multiplication, seed marketing and seed distribution to farmers.
DEPTFO