Cabinet nod for pact between India, Italy in farm sector

The Cabinet today approved signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and Italy for cooperation in the field of agriculture as well as phytosanitary issues.

This will replace the January 2008 agreement which expires next year.

A joint working group will be set up to chalk out a plan for bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture and also look at long-term initiatives, an official statement said.

The MoU provides for cooperation to reduce phytosanitary (relating to the health of plants) risks in exported goods by defining specific joint procedures. It would also promote and strengthen cooperation between research institutes of the two countries.