News and Events RENEWING BILATERAL RELATIONS IN AGRICULTURE

New Delhi, January 30, 2008: : A National Seminar on "Emerging Agricultural Scenario in India and Russian Federation", organized within the framework of Year of Russia in India by Bharatiya Krishak Samaj at the Russian Centre of Science & Culture (RCSC), 24, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi, on January 29, 2008, with its pragmatic and realistic deliberations served as a big step forward in renewing bilateral cooperation between India and Russia in the field of agriculture. The Seminar was attended by a large gathering of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, etc.

Dr. Sergey Cherkas, Deputy Director, RCSC, in his inaugural address underlined the significance of the Seminar bearing a great impact in resurrecting bilateral tie-ups in agriculture making the best of the immense potential available in Russia and India for the broad benefits of the peoples of both countries.

Dr. Valarei Poptsov, Agriculture Attache, Embassy of the Russian Federation in India, in his keynote address described the agricultural scenario in Russia and stressed the scope of cooperation with India in the 21st century. He pointed out that the Seminar would optimistically provide a strong fillip to the renewed efforts in agricultural development through exchanges of know-how and interaction.

Mr. Sergey Isaev, Deputy Director, Science & Technology, RCSC, commended the efforts of Bharatiya Krishak Samaj in organizing a seminar of great relevance to national development.

Dr. Krishna Bir Chaudhary, President, Bharatiya Krishak Samaj, in his introductory remark referred to the remarkable contributions made by the erstwhile Soviet Union in giving a great boost to India's agricultural development through the inception of Suratgarh Farm in Punjab.

Mr. Chaturanan Mishra, Former Agriculture Minister, Government of India, pinpointed the significance of initiative from Russia which will go a long way in strengthening India's agricultural base. In this context he made a strong appeal to the government to look into the sad plight of Indian farmers, adding that an agriculture-oriented country like India has to pay serious heed to their needs.

Mr. Sangh Priya Gautam, Former Union Minister, Government of India, Mr. Debabrat Biswas, M.P., Mr. Harish Rawat, M.P., Mr. Ratnakar Pandey, Ex-M.P., Mr. Harikesh Bahadur, Ex-M.P., Mr. S. P. Gulati, Former Secretary, Government of India, and others made their observations at the Seminar.