[27th April, 2017]
Work Plan Under Programme of Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture for 2017-2018
1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus, hereinafter referred to as the “parties”.
2. Referring to the Programme of Cooperation (POC) between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of Republic of Cyprus on cooperation in the field of Agriculture signed in New Delhi on the 26th March, 1992 and
3. Pursuant to Article III of the said Programme of Cooperation (POC) and in order to implement the provisions of the said Programme of Cooperation (POC) between the two countries, the following specific areas of cooperation are suggested:
• Joint research projects,
• Joint workshops, conferences, for exchange of information
• Training/exchange programmes for the scientists/experts of the two countries in the specific fields in various institutes of two countries,
• Exchange of germplasms, technology and best practices,
• Promotion of private sector participation, wherever feasible, in the identified areas of cooperation,
4. The parties will encourage and facilitate to implement this Work Plan for the areas identified therein through the research institutes and organizations of the two countries as detailed in the annexure.
5. Collaborating institutes and organizations would contact each other and finalize the operational details of the projects and programmes as mutually agreed.
6. The Parties would thereafter finalize a calendar of events by May, 2017 through their designated nodal points in the specific areas of cooperation prioritized for the biennial Work Plan.
7. For the exchange of visits, normally the sending Party will bear the cost of to and fro air transport, hotel accommodation and local transport including local air transport and the receiving party will meet the cost of organizing the meetings and on other related logistics arrangements. However, the costs sharing arrangements can be mutually agreed upon by the collaborating institutes and organizations. The Parties may, by mutual consent, add, amend or delete any provisions of the Work Plan.
8. The Work Plan comes into effect from 31st May, 2017 and shall remain in effect until 31st May, 2019, unless terminated, modified or extended by mutual agreement.
Done in New Delhi on this 27th day of April, 2017 in English language.
ANNEXURE-I
Visits of Cypriot Scientists to Indian Institutes
| S.N. | Major Fields of activity | Area of interests identified | Types of collaboration | No. of participants | Implementation schedule (Year) | Duration |
| 1. | Plant Breeding and Molecular genetics | There is already communication and an invitation through the High Commissioner of India by the University of Punjab to two members of Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus. There is mutual interest to explore novel methods to enhance food security, climate adaptation, as well as enhance the soil properties and the soil rhizosphere microbial community for improved crop nutrition and tolerance to stresses in a variety of crops | Initiation of common research projects, exchange of information and/or exchange of researchers, scientists and experts | 2 | Response to the High Commissioners’ invitation in June, 2016 (attached) and visit to Punjab University of Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus members is suggested to take place in 2017 | 10 days |
| 2 | Post harvest management of fruits and vegetables | Post harvest management of fruits and vegetables to minimize the losses | Exchange of information | 1 | 2018 | 5 days |
ANNEXURE-II
Visits of Indian Scientists to Cyprus Institutes
| S.N. | Major Fields of activity | Area of interests identified | Types of collaboration | No. of participants | Implementation schedule (Year) | Duration | Sending Institute from India | Receiving Institute in Cyprus |
| 1. | Agricultural Extension | Exchange of curriculum, faculty and student exchange programme and internship.Exchange agriculture information and scientific publication, organizing joint seminars, workshops, symposium and use of exchange of information, especially ICT in agricultural extension. | Exchange of information and/or exchange of researchers scientists and experts | 22 | 2017-20192017-2019 | 1-2 weeks1-2 weeks | National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) | Department of Agriculture |
| 2 | Livestock production | Knowledge sharing on pork and poultry production systems, compliance with food safety issues (for poultry products) practice to minimize and contain antimicrobial resistance, to and from visit of poultry scientist and exchange of experts in small ruminant unit | Exchange of information and/or exchange of researchers scientists and experts | 2 persons in each of the areas identified | 2017-2018 | 1-2 weeks per area identified | Department of Agriculture and Veterinary services | |
| 3 | Fruit and Vegetables | Aromatic plants and their processing, citrus, olive trees and olive oil. | Exchange of information and/or exchange of researchers, scientists and experts | 2 | 2017-2018 | 1-2 weeks | Department of Agriculture |
ANNEXURE-III
Exchange of Information and establish network between Cyprus and India in the agriculture sector
| S.N. | Major Fields of activity | Area of interests identified | Types of collaboration | Implementation schedule (Year) |
| 1 | Renewable Energy | Biofuels from Crop residues and Animal waste. | Exchange of experiences Development and Coordination of joint research projects | 2017-2018 |
| 2 | Rural agro-processing and value addition | Exchange of information Creation of think tank | 2017-2018 | |
| 3 | Fruits and Vegetables | Spices crops, cashew and coconut, banana production and its planting material and micro irrigation, pomegranates, sweet potatoes, loquats, other tropical fruit. | Exchange of information Creation of think tank | 2017-2018 |
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