Piyush Goyal meets ICFA chief to boost farm sector, deepen India-Africa agri ties
Synopsis
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's meeting with ICFA Chairman Dr. MJ Khan signals India's intent to simultaneously uplift its own farmers and position itself as the agricultural knowledge hub of the Global South — with Africa as the primary theatre for that ambition.
Key Takeaways
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met Dr.
MJ Khan , Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Food & Agriculture , on 8 May in New Delhi .
Discussions focused on improving Indian farmers' quality of life and strengthening India's position in global agriculture.
India aims to share farm expertise — including soil health, water management, and crop production — with African nations .
India has extended Lines of Credit (LoCs) for agricultural machinery to countries including Angola and Lesotho .
Power Grid Corporation of India has partnered with Africa50 on transmission projects, extending India's Global South cooperation to green energy.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on 8 May held a meeting in New Delhi with Dr. MJ Khan, Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Food & Agriculture (ICFA), to discuss strategies for improving the quality of life of Indian farmers and expanding India's agricultural cooperation with African nations as part of a broader push to advance the Global South. The discussions spanned farm policy reforms, global agri-positioning, and long-term food security pathways.
Key Discussions at the Meeting
Dr. MJ Khan is a prominent Indian agricultural expert and policy analyst known for pioneering initiatives such as the National Policy on Organic Farming and the Global Agriculture Leadership Summit. He is widely regarded as a leading voice in agribusiness, agriculture policy, and sustainable development.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Goyal outlined the agenda:
Point of View
Training in soil and water management, and private sector investment, New Delhi is building a model of South-South cooperation that goes beyond aid. The real test will be whether these initiatives translate into measurable productivity gains for African farmers or remain at the level of high-profile meetings and MoUs. With food insecurity deepening across sub-Saharan Africa, India's window to establish durable agricultural partnerships is real — but so is the risk of over-promising and under-delivering.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal discuss at the agriculture meeting?
Piyush Goyal met ICFA Chairman Dr. MJ Khan on 8 May to discuss initiatives to improve Indian farmers' quality of life, strengthen India's global agricultural standing, and deepen cooperation with African nations for long-term food security. The meeting also explored new pathways for agricultural collaboration.
Who is Dr. MJ Khan and what is the ICFA?
Dr. MJ Khan is a prominent Indian agricultural expert and policy analyst who chairs the Indian Chamber of Food & Agriculture (ICFA). He has pioneered initiatives including the National Policy on Organic Farming and the Global Agriculture Leadership Summit, and is a leading voice in agribusiness and sustainable development.
How is India supporting African countries in agriculture?
India supports African nations through technology transfer, capacity building, farm mechanisation, and improved seed varieties. It has also extended Lines of Credit for agricultural machinery to countries like Angola and Lesotho, and provides training in soil health, water management, and crop production.
What is India's role in the Global South development agenda?
India positions itself as a knowledge and investment partner for Global South nations, particularly in agriculture and green energy. Through partnerships such as Power Grid Corporation of India's collaboration with Africa50, India is sharing expertise in grid modernisation, energy storage, and renewable integration alongside its farm sector outreach.
What are the key focus areas of the India-Africa agricultural partnership?
The India-Africa agricultural partnership focuses on food security, farm mechanisation, post-harvest loss reduction, climate-smart agriculture, and agri-business investment. Low-cost technology solutions and improved seed varieties are central to reducing African nations' reliance on food imports.
