India, US to train 1,500 farm professionals from 17 nations

India and the US today launched the second phase of a global programme under which 1,500 farm professionals from 17 countries across Africa and Asia will be trained in new agriculture techniques in the next four years.

The 'Feed the Future India Triangular Training Program' will be implemented by the government's National Institute of Agricultural Extension (MANAGE) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

In the first phase, 219 professionals from three African nations -- Kenya, Liberia and Malawi were trained during 2013-15. They are now implementing the new farming techniques to increase farm productivity and income.

"The impact of the first phase was highly satisfying and hence the programme has been expanded to reach to more countries. So, in the second phase, 17 countries across Africa and Asia will be covered," Agriculture Secretary S K Pattanayak said after the launch.

About 32 training programmes of 15 days duration will be conducted in India and 12 training programmes of 10 days duration will be held in African and Asian countries for four years during 2016-20, he said.

The entire expenditure including participants travel, insurance, lodging, local travel and program fee will be met by USAID and MANAGE, he added.

US Ambassador to India Richard Verma said: "By harnessing the expertise and innovation of our two great countries, we are unlocking new opportunities to address global development challenges, bringing us closer to our shared objective of eliminating global poverty and hunger." Agri-professionals will be trained from 17 countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Liberia, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Tanzania, Sudan, Botswana, Ethiopia in Africa. Afghanistan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Mongolia and Vietnam in Asia.

The first programme will be conducted by Hyderabad-based MANAGE on 'public private partnership in agriculture extension management' during October 17-31.

The second programme will be conducted by Jaipur-based National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM) on 'emerging trends in marketing of fruits and vegetables' during November 16-30.