India-Africa Agricultural Cooperation: Huge Potential

New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Large tracts of arable land on the African continent create huge opportunities for cooperation between India and Africa in the agriculture sector, said Vikramjit Singh Sahney, member of BRICS Council on Agriculture.

He said Africa could be a reservoir of legumes, oilseeds and other agricultural products such as millet.

“There is a lot of unused arable land in Africa that can be used productively through agricultural inputs and India can help develop the entire agricultural value chain in various African countries,” he added.

Sahney, who is also a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab, said this while addressing a session of the India-Africa Business Conclave held on August 22.

He also stressed that the development of the manufacturing and services sector could prove to be a breakthrough for young people in Africa, the country with the world’s largest youth population.

Sahney added that India can also help various startups in Africa, with cities like Lagos, Nairobi and Cape Town being the hubs for startup capital development.

Underlining the importance of collaboration on skill development to support human capital growth in Africa, he suggested leveraging institutions like the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and other IT companies to deliver skills through initiatives like Skill India Mission and e-skill portals.

“This would increase employment opportunities among African youth and provide a skilled workforce for African trade and industry,” he said.