Introduction
In recent years, India and ASEAN have shared many platforms on sustainable agriculture; recently, India and ASEAN have held many ministerial meetings that focused on agriculture, technology, and forestry. The Agenda of the 8th ASEAN and India ministerial meeting on agriculture and forestry aims to promote investment in food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries by providing opportunities for the youth of ASEAN. The meeting priority is sustainable agriculture on the regional levels, where the cooperation should focus on decarbonisation, the reduction of harmful agrochemicals, the minimisation of crop burning practices, digitalisation and the promotion of Scientific and technological applications in the food, agriculture, and forestry sectors (The Eighth Asean-India Ministerial Meeting On Agriculture And Forestry (The 8th Aimmaf), 2024). Agriculture is the backbone of economies for these countries, and an average of 30% of the population is employed in agriculture. Agricultural technology and sustainable farming are necessities due to climate change, food security concerns and resource constraints.
Historical Background of India – ASEAN Agricultural Cooperation
Before signing the India – ASEAN free trade agreement (AIFTA) in 2009, India gained the sectoral and full dialogue partners in 1992 and 1996, respectively. ((ASEAN Secretariat, 2020). In 2005, the ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund was established to provide financial support in agriculture. The 2010s saw increased collaboration between Indian and agricultural research institutions. Again, after the Covid-19 pandemic, the Indian agri-tech start-up ecosystem has cooperated with ASEAN nations to develop innovative solutions for improving productivity and reducing post-harvest losses; now, both countries want to connect farmers with markets, data, and modern farming solutions.
Key Areas of Cooperation
Indian startups such as Cropln and Ninjacart have introduced data-driven farming, quickly adapting to the agricultural markets (NASSCOM, 2021). Using technologies like GPS mapping, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence are the new areas where India and ASEAN nations collaborate. These technologies optimise resource usage and input costs and increase crop yields. The ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) has collaborated with ASEAN institutions to develop improved seed varieties resistant to pests and diseases (ICAR, 2023). India’s agricultural biotechnology in developing high-yield and climate-resilient crops has the potential to benefit ASEAN countries facing similar climatic challenges. Southeast Asia used genetic Research to enhance Livestock breeding and aquaculture, which will benefit India.
Sustainable water management is the major area of cooperation as these nations face water scarcity and inefficient irrigation systems. The government of India introduced the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), which can be replicated in ASEAN nations (Government of India, 2022). Adopting micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and innovative irrigation systems has shown promising results in reducing water wastage.
As prosperous agro-economy countries, they want to shift towards organic farming as a sustainable alternative to chemical-intensive agriculture. India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) has promoted organic certification, and ASEAN countries such as Thailand and Vietnam have expressed interest in similar initiatives (FAO, 2023). collaboration in organic farming certification and trade facilitation can create new market opportunities for farmers in both regions. India’s experience with Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), which minimises external inputs by relying on biological processes, has attracted significant interest from ASEAN countries (Chandra & Wai, 2023). Pilot projects implementing adapted versions of this approach have been established in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand, with early results showing improved soil organic matter and reduced production costs (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, India, 2023).
Challenges in India- ASEAN Agri-Tech Cooperation
Several ASEAN countries are among the top exporters globally for products like rice, fruits, vegetables and coffee, and the region is also the global leader in industrial crops such as palm oil, rubber, cashew nuts and pepper. Further, ASEAN and India face similar challenges in agriculture, such as shrinking land base, dwindling water resources, shortage of farm labour and increasing costs and uncertainties associated with volatility in international markets. Despite AIFTA, specific non-tariff barriers still challenge smooth agricultural trade and technology exchange (ASEAN Secretariat, 2021). Due to limited digital and transport infrastructure, there is a large gap between rural and urban adoption of advanced farming technologies. There is a need for extensive market integration in India and ASEAN countries so that increasing instances of droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns can be minimised. The hindrance from ASEAN countries is the regulatory frameworks, as different countries have their regulatory frameworks, making it difficult for agri-tech companies to expand their presence in the region. According to Mehta and Abdullah (2023), population growth and changing dietary preferences have intensified pressure on food systems, requiring higher productivity with fewer resources. The authors note, “Both regions must increase food production by an estimated 50-60% by 2050 while simultaneously reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint.”
Conclusion
The cooperation between India and ASEAN in agri-technology and sustainable farming has evolved significantly over the past decade. As both regions confront similar challenges from climate change, resource constraints, and food security demands, their collaborative approach will provide a model for south- south cooperation in agricultural innovation. India and ASEAN can accelerate their transition towards more resilient, productive, and sustainable farming systems that benefit millions of farmers across both regions.
As Singh and Rahman (2024) conclude, “The future of agriculture in India and ASEAN depends not just on adopting new technologies but on adapting them to diverse local contexts through knowledge sharing and collaborative innovation”. This collaborative approach, combining technological innovation with traditional knowledge and local adaptation, represents the most promising path toward agricultural sustainability in the face of everyday challenges.
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