Question : INDO- US AGREEMENT

(a) whether India and US at a meeting in February, 2006 have finalized an ambitious work plan for the Indo-US knowledge institute on agriculture;

(b) if so, whether under this agreement the Government will spent Rs.350 crore in a phased manner over three years;

(c) if so, whether US investment is yet to be determined;

(d) if so, whether US has agreed and are preparing a work plan to allow the US to emerge as a directing force in the areas of human resources and institutional capacity, agri processing and marketing; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)

(a) India and US at a meeting in February, 2006 have finalized a work plan for the Indo-US knowledge initiative on Agriculture.

(b) Under this agreement the Government has provided a budget of Rupees five Crore during 2006-07.

(c) The US investment is US $ 8 million for 2006-07.

(d) The agreed work plan covers joint research, education and training activities benefiting both the countries in the priority areas.

(e) The joint research, education and training activities cover four priority areas, namely

(i) human resource development including learning resources, curriculum development,

(ii) food processing, use of bio-product and bio-fuels,

(iii) biotechnology and

(iv) water management.