India-Ghana MoU: ICAR, CSIR-CRI sign farm research pact during EAM visit
Why in the news
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar visited Accra, the first stop of a five-day tour covering Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia. On 7 October 2026 the two sides signed an agricultural research MoU between ICAR and Ghana’s CSIR-Crops Research Institute.
Key facts
- Talks: Jaishankar met Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on trade and investment, pharmaceuticals, defence, technology, development help, capacity building, IT, scholarships and agriculture.
- Multilateral: cooperation through the African Union and ECOWAS was also discussed.
- MoU parties: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi and CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CRI), Accra.
- Duration: five years.
- Commercial partner: Arima Farms Ltd., Ghana.
| Area | MoU focus |
|---|---|
| First phase | Vegetables, mainly tomato research and development |
| Processing | Cassava and yam processing, value chains |
| Post-harvest | Cold storage and refrigerated transport |
| Exchanges | Scientists, germplasm, breeding material, scientific information |
About the MoU mechanism
A Joint Working Group with members from both institutions will track progress and steer implementation, meeting by turns in New Delhi and Accra. The pact also supports joint research and links between research centres in both countries.
Exam angle
- Ghana’s capital is Accra; it is a member of ECOWAS and the African Union.
- Jaishankar described India and Ghana as Global South partners in a Comprehensive Partnership.
- MoU follow-up: Joint Working Group meeting alternately in New Delhi and Accra.