Top Headlines
Home » International » India–New Zealand Hold First Joint Working Group Meeting on Horticulture Cooperation

India–New Zealand Hold First Joint Working Group Meeting on Horticulture Cooperation

in International February 19, 2026 Comments Off on India–New Zealand Hold First Joint Working Group Meeting on Horticulture Cooperation 371 Views

Newdelhi:19/2/26:India and New Zealand convened the first meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on horticultural cooperation today, marking a significant step forward under the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between the two countries on 12 March 2025.TheJoint Working Group (JWG) meeting of India and New Zealand was co-chaired by Shri Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary (Horticulture), DA&FWin person from Indian side and Mr. Steve Ainsworth, Divisional Manager, Bilateral Relations and Trade in virtual mode from New Zealand side wherein, the meeting brought together senior officials and technical experts from both sides to advance collaboration in the horticulture sector, with a strong focus on kiwifruit and pip fruit (apple and pear) development.

Shri Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary (Horticulture), DA&FW mentioned that Kiwifruit was identified as a priority crop for India and deliberated on key focus areas under the Kiwifruit Action Plan, including Establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs), Improved orchard management and productivity enhancement, Access to quality rootstock and planting materialStrengthening post-harvest management and supply chains. The meeting also deliberated on procedures for importing kiwi rootstock from New Zealand and organizing training programmes for Indian farmers and entrepreneurs in New Zealand.

Mr. Steve Ainsworth, Divisional Manager, Bilateral Relations and Trade, reviewed the current status and challenges in kiwifruit, apple, and pear production in India and asserted to build around collaborative research, capacity building, and grower training, along with strengthening supply chains, quality standards, and market positioning to boost farmer incomes and productivity.

The meeting concluded with the finalization of timelines and an implementation roadmap for both Action Plans. In their closing remarks, senior officials from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening horticultural ties. The JWG identified immediate next steps and proposed a schedule for follow-up meetings and reviews to ensure sustained momentum in India–New Zealand horticultural cooperation.

About Editor in chief

Ashok Palit has completed his graduation from Upendranath College Soro, Balasore and post graduation from Utkal University in Odia Language and literture.. He has also carved out a niche for himself as a scribe of eminence after joining the profession in 1988. He is also an independent media production professional. He brings loads of experience to Advanced Media, Ashok Palit as a cineaste has been active in film criticism for over three decades. As a film society activist, he soared to eminence for his profound commitment to the art film appreciation and aesthetics of cinema. His mode of discourse is often erudite but always lucid and comprehensible marked by a perfect acumen so rare in the field. A film aesthete with an immense fond of critical sensibilities, he wrote about growth and development of odia cinema in New Indian Express, The Times of India, The Hindustan Times, The Asian Age and Screen. He has been working as an Editor for Cine Samaya from 2002-2004.. He had made solid contribution on cinema in many odia Dailies and weekly such as Samaj, Prajatantra, Dharatri, Samaya, Satabadi, and weekly Samaya.
©2026 All rights Reserved. Orissa Film and Media Association || Powered By DATAGRAM INDIA
x

Check Also

Odisha State Sericulture Research and Training Institutehas organised its first Farmers’ Training Programme

Bhubaneswar:19/6/26:The Odisha State Sericulture Research and Training Institute (OSSR&TI) has organised its first Farmers’ Training Programme on “Tasar Host Plant Nursery and Its Management” from 19 June to 23 June ...