New Zealand has strengthened its agricultural and forestry ties with India by signing two new memorandum of cooperation agreements.
The agreements aim to enhance collaboration, knowledge exchange and trade opportunities between the two nations.
The agreement on horticulture focuses on technical exchanges, improved harvest and post-harvest management, training and the sharing of technological expertise.
"By working together, we can unlock new opportunities for both nations, supporting the growth and diversification of our horticultural industries while benefiting rural communities on both sides," Trade Minister Todd McClay said.
Meanwhile, the agreement on forestry seeks to strengthen bilateral cooperation and sustain mutual growth.
New Zealand's forestry exports to India have surged from $9.5 million in 2023 to an estimated $76.5 million in 2024, highlighting the sector's increasing significance.
"I'm very excited about the [memorandum of cooperation agreements] between India and New Zealand," said Malkiat Singh, owner of Kingseat Organics farm in Pukekohe.
"There is immense potential for mutual learning. India's deep-rooted organic farming traditions and traditional agricultural practices, combined with New Zealand's technological advancements, create a promising future," he said.
Singh noted New Zealand's strengths in integrating technology into farming, including advanced crop monitoring, soil analysis and controlled environment growing.
"We have extensive knowledge in these areas that could greatly benefit Indian farmers," he noted.
At the same time, he said New Zealand had much to learn from India's approach to organic farming.
"Our government should look at how the Indian government supports organic farmers through specific grants and dedicated information portals," he said, referencing the Jaivik Kheti portal, an initiative by India's ministry of agriculture to promote organic farming and connect farmers with markets.
Singh also highlighted India's expertise in integrated farming and animal husbandry.
He suggested that New Zealand could assist India in improving cold chain logistics, leveraging Kiwi expertise in produce handling, harvesting, storage and transportation.
"[Memorandum of cooperation agreements] like this can facilitate farmer exchanges between the two countries, allowing them to learn from each other firsthand," Singh said.
"The way we manage orchards in New Zealand, the way we grow fruits and crops - not just organic but in general - there's so much India can benefit from," he said.
"Our use of advanced geolocation systems and satellite-driven farming techniques could be transformative."
A major milestone under the newly signed memorandum of cooperation agreements is the mutual development of New Zealand's and India's kiwifruit sectors.
"Kiwifruit will be the first significant achievement under this partnership, already worth $600 million. And this agreement has the potential to create up to $1 billion in reciprocal horticultural benefits over the next decade," McClay said on Monday.
Gavin Ross, director of customer and commercial at Plant & Food Research, welcomed the agreement and the launch of free trade agreement negotiations with India.
"The Indian kiwifruit industry is very young, and New Zealand has a lot to offer," Ross said.
"We know a lot about growing from nurseries to rootstocks to structures, vine management and irrigation," he said, noting that New Zealand's expertise could significantly benefit Indian growers.
Ross also highlighted India's unique challenges, particularly its steep terrain for kiwifruit cultivation.
"They don't have the choice of flat land that we have here, so orchard layout and design are areas both countries can explore together," he said.
With India's vast market presenting a significant opportunity for New Zealand's kiwifruit exports, Ross said he was eager to collaborate with the Indian research community and facilitate mutual knowledge-sharing.
Looking ahead, Singh hoped for even deeper collaboration in the coming years, particularly in market access.
"For example, organic growers from New Zealand should be able to sell their produce in India, and Indian organic farmers should have a clear pathway to sell directly to New Zealand," he said.
"If we can open those market channels, it would have a huge impact on farmers, especially small-scale growers."
This story was first published by RNZ
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