India and Hungary today decided to enhance of cooperation in the agriculture sector.

Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, highlighting the progress made by India in agricultural research, dairy equipment and packaging poultry and livestock, sought increased cooperation between India and Hungary in these areas.

India also proposed to have cooperation in agricultural infrastructure, post harvest management and horticulture. It was also decided to further strengthen linkages between G B Pant Agriculture University and universities and centres in Kaposvear, Godollo and Eger, in Hungary.

A Hungarian delegation led by minister of agriculture and rural development of Hungary. Jozsef Graf is scheduled to sign a five-year agreement in the field of agriculture and allied sectors with Pawar later this evening in the presence of the prime ministers of the two countries.

The agreement is overarching and provides for cooperation in agricultural research and technology, agricultural production, food processing and economic cooperation between the two countries through joint activities.

Joint activities will be carried out in the field of agricultural research, agricultural production including horticulture, post harvest management, agro processing, agricultural marketing, animal husbandry, dairying and aquaculture and phytosanitary issues relating to trade in plant and animal genetic resources.

The agreement also provides for setting up a joint working group to develop biennial work plan and to coordinate and monitor activities to be carried out under this agreement, which will become effective on the date of its signing and will be automatically renewed for a subsequent period of five years.