Jammu and Kashmir Strengthens Agricultural Partnership with New Zealand.

On June 12, Jammu and Kashmir expanded its current Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with New Zealand into a full-fledged strategic agreement, marking a significant step forward in agriculture. 

On June 12, Jammu and Kashmir expanded its current Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with New Zealand into a full-fledged strategic agreement, marking a significant step forward in agriculture. The alliance leverages New Zealand's globally renowned expertise in sheep breeding technologies, sustainable farm management, and sophisticated disease control techniques. The alliance aims to modernize and reinvigorate the sheep and goat sectors in the Union Territory via extensive training efforts, as well as innovative and sustainable techniques.

About this Agreement

The agreement was signed in the presence of Mission Director, HADP, Yasha Mudgal, and DG Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, Bashir Khan. Furthermore, New Zealand representatives who joined virtually included Graham Rouse, Trade Commissioner and Consul General to India, Neera Arora, Business Development Manager for India, and Keith Mitchell, Customer Manager from NZTE, Mischa Mannix-Opie, Executive Director of NZ G2G and TAG's leadership team, Jon Manhire, Managing Director, Stuart Ford, Director, Dave Lucock, Director, and Warren King from AgResearch.

• The deal was signed by Jon Manhire, Managing Director of TAG, and Naseem Javed, Director of Sheep Husbandry in Jammu. This relationship focuses on using New Zealand's world-class expertise to improve indigenous sheep farming practices in Jammu and Kashmir.

Core area of collaboration

The relationship focused on advanced training programs for master trainers, genetic and breeding innovations, expert visits, and workshops. New Zealand specialists will visit J&K to conduct seminars and establish long-term project objectives, with an emphasis on breeding values, AI, ETT, and digitalization, in addition to Value Chain Optimization. A thorough study and revamp of wool and mutton value chains headed by New Zealand experts will seek to increase efficiency and profitability across the sector.

Why is this agreement so important?

This strategic partnership, worth around Rs 20 crore over five years, marks not just a continuance, but an extension of joint efforts to improve the sheep industry in Jammu and Kashmir. The alliance is projected to result in dramatic improvements, such as increased production and improved economic conditions in local areas. The continuous relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and New Zealand has the potential to transform agricultural methods in the region, fostering innovation, sustainability, and profitability for the local sheep farming community.