Each year, ten fellowships will be awarded for the next five years, covering master’s degree programmes in agriculture and allied sectors. The application deadline for the first batch is August 27.
Funded by the ASEAN-India Fund, the programme will cover admission fees, living expenses, and other incidental costs for the selected students.
Union Minister Chouhan emphasised the “immense possibilities” for agricultural cooperation, citing similar agro-climatic zones between India and ASEAN nations.
He noted the programme would address the current lack of opportunities for young researchers to tackle common agricultural challenges.
“This will promote the development of a pool of expert human resources in ASEAN for the growth of agriculture and allied sciences,” Chouhan said. The minister highlighted India’s globally recognised agricultural research facilities, which already attract international students. The new fellowship aims to expose ASEAN students to cutting-edge research at top Indian agricultural universities. India’s existing international programmes include the Netaji Subhas Fellowship and India-Africa Fellowship. Currently, about 135 foreign students are pursuing degrees at Indian agricultural institutions.
The launch event saw participation from Ministers of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur and Bhagirath Choudhary, along with the Philippines’ Ambassador to India and ASEAN coordinator Josel F Ignacio.
Inputs from PTI