India and the Netherlands are looking to deepen cooperation in agriculture, with seed innovation, artificial intelligence, climate resilience and measurement technologies emerging as key areas for collaboration.
The development was highlighted by Silvio Erkens, Netherlands State Secretary for Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, during his visit to India. The two countries have agreed to continue government-to-government discussions this year to identify specific areas of cooperation under their Strategic Partnership, which was elevated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands in May 2026.
Erkens highlighted seed innovation as an important opportunity for bilateral cooperation. The Netherlands is a global leader in seed innovation, while India is among the world’s important seed markets and producers, creating scope for partnerships between institutions and businesses in both countries.
AI and Technology for Farmers
The Netherlands and India are also exploring the use of artificial intelligence and measurement systems to develop practical solutions for farmers.
According to Erkens, greater technology cooperation could help farmers respond to challenges such as climate change, rising input costs and geopolitical disruptions affecting agricultural supply chains.
The proposed collaboration is also linked to the broader objective of improving farm resilience and adaptability. Erkens noted that climate change is affecting farmers in both India and the Netherlands, while geopolitical instability has contributed to higher fertiliser prices and other agricultural pressures.
Dairy Farming Enters the Cooperation Agenda
Dairy farming was specifically highlighted during the discussions. Erkens said India’s holistic approach to farming, including dairy, could offer solutions that may be relevant to Dutch agriculture.
The observation creates potential scope for knowledge exchange around integrated dairy systems, farm-level technology, resource management and farmer resilience. However, the report does not indicate that any specific dairy technology or programme has yet been formally agreed between the two countries.
India-EU FTA Could Support Cooperation
Erkens also linked agricultural cooperation to the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He said the agreement could help diversify supply chains and provide a stronger basis for expanded agricultural cooperation between India and Europe.
The Netherlands State Secretary is the first Dutch government minister to visit India following the elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. His visit is focused on advancing cooperation in agriculture, food security and innovation.
For the dairy industry, the development is significant because it places technology, climate resilience and cross-border knowledge exchange alongside traditional agricultural trade in the India-Netherlands cooperation agenda.
Source: Dairynews7x7 29 Sep, 2026 Read full story here
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