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Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Taras Kutoviy says his ministry is working to simplify the access of Ukrainian goods to India's market, as Ukraine is interested in a further increase in agricultural exports to that country.
"We are interested that an interdepartmental agreement on cooperation in agriculture and food processing industry between the two countries could be finalized and signed as soon as possible," the ministry's press service quoted Kutoviy as saying.
The parties are particularly interested in cooperation in cultivation of grain and leguminous crops, as well as seeds production with the use of advanced technologies, the introduction of different types of irrigation, and efficient use of mineral fertilizers, the ministry said. Ukraine and India also are planning to cooperate in the field of biotechnology, and create joint ventures for the production of animal products.
Read alsoAgri-year of records and new challengesAll these areas are outlined in the draft inter-agency agreement on cooperation in agriculture and food processing industry between the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry of Ukraine and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of the Republic of India, according to the report.
"Once this bilateral document is signed, it will give a new impetus to further development of mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture between Ukraine and India," the press service quoted Kutoviy as saying.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine's Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry intends to send trade missions to India, the EU and the Middle East this year to market Ukrainian farm produce there.
Ukrainian farmers exported farm produce worth US$13.57 billion, accounting for 41.5% in the total national exports, in the 11 months of 2016, the ministry said.
In 2015, farm produce shipments from Ukraine amounted to $14.6 billion (38.1%) in 2015. Imports during the period were estimated at $3.5 billion (9.3% of the national imports). Trade in this group of goods showed a surplus of $11 billion.
In 2015, Ukraine exported 45% of its food products to Asia, 28.2% to Europe, 13.6% to Africa, and 10% to the CIS member states. Grain crops accounted for 16% of total exports, fats and oil for 9%, and oilseeds for 4% of Ukrainian agricultural exports.