The Netherlands and Tamil Nadu are discussing the possibility of establishing an agricultural excellence center

According to Dutch Ambassador to India Marten van den Berg, the Netherlands is working with the Tamil Nadu government to establish a center of excellence in agriculture in the state.

The Ambassador informed senior journalists from The Hindu Group on Monday that the proposed center would be a platform for disseminating innovations and techniques as well as sharing expertise, pointing out that such centers had been established in other states, notably Maharashtra (Baramati). Farmers would also be taught how to grow food in a more sustainable manner.

Horticulture, dairy, and food processing were among the possible areas for collaboration between the Netherlands and Tamil Nadu. Water as Leverage for Resilient Cities Asia, a joint effort including the authorities in Chennai to address urban water-related concerns, had already been implemented.

Netherlands and Tamil Nadu had a “great history”

The envoy noted that the Netherlands and Tamil Nadu had a “great history” of over 400 years and that the two countries shared common characteristics such as vast coasts and rivers, as well as having endured floods and droughts. “We do have an economic history in many sectors,” he added, adding that the two countries faced “quite similar economic issues.”

The Ambassador, who had previously met with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, said he had “in-depth” conversations with Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu and other senior State government officials to enhance ties in a “more structural” approach. “We’re working on a Memorandum of Understanding,” he said, referring to a “long list” of issues for collaboration. 

Agriculture, water, and innovation were highlighted as major areas of collaboration, but the envoy also mentioned that urban planning and mobility, electric vehicles, tourism, start-up promotion, semiconductors, and improving connectivity between the Netherlands and Tamil Nadu were among the topics discussed with the state government. 

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