MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF TH…

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines, represented herein by the Department of Agriculture and the Government of the Republic of India represented herein by the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, hereinafter referred to as the “Contracting Parties”.

In pursuance of Article III of the Basic Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of India signed at Manila on April 8, 1987;

Desiring to enhance the existing friendly relations between the two countries through development of cooperation in the field of agricultural science and technology; and

Recognizing the advantages to be derived by their respective peoples from the implementation of such cooperation;

Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I

The Contracting Parties shall promote development of agricultural science and technological cooperation between the two countries through joint activities and exchanges.

ARTICLE II

Joint activities will be determined by the Contracting Parties and will be implemented in conformity with the laws and policies of both countries.

Such joint activities may include the areas of rice production and processing, multiple cropping system, dryland farming systems, water management, agricultural machinery, horticulture, agro forestry, agriculture, dairy, livestock improvement (development of sheep and goats, tropicalized vaccine production, animal nutrition and utilization of animal by-products), aquaculture, sugarcane technology, cotton growing technology, agricultural cooperatives, promotion of joint ventures in agribusiness and other fields as may be mutually agreed upon by both parties.

ARTICLE III

Cooperation will also be effected through the exchange of materials and information; the exchange of scientists, and trainees; the organization of symposia and conferences; the joint publication of studies and papers; and other means as may be mutually agreed upon.

ARTICLE IV

A Joint Agriculture Working Group shall be formed to provide guidance, review the progress of activities and to facilitate cooperation. The Joint Working Group shall meet once every two years alternately in their respective countries.

Each Contracting Party shall designate an Execute Secretary who shall be responsible for coordinating and monitoring all activities carries out under the auspices of this Memorandum. The Executive Secretaries shall be permanent members of the Joint Working Group.

During the interim years, the Executive Secretaries will either meet in person or correspond to develop a work program and coordinate administrative details.

ARTICLE V

To generate broad interest, this Memorandum authorizes the involvement of other interested government agencies, the scientific and business communities as well as the private sectors of both countries.

The Contracting Parties will encourage and facilitate direct contacts between these groups to work towards long-term cooperation in the areas of research, extension, training and identification of potential joint ventures in agribusiness.

ARTICLE VI

The sending Party will bear the costs of air transport and the receiving Party will pay the costs of local hospitality. Activities pursuant to this Memorandum are subject to the availability of funds and personnel and to the laws and regulations of the respective countries of the Parties.

ARTICLE VII

Under this Memorandum, the designated coordinating offices will be the Department of Agriculture for the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, for the Government of the Republic of India.

ARTICLE VIII

This Memorandum shall not affect in any way, the Contracting Parties’ commitments under existing bilateral agreements between the two countries.

ARTICLE IX

This Memorandum shall enter into force upon signature and shall remain in force for a period of ten (10) years, unless terminated earlier by either Contracting Party upon six (6) months prior written notice to the other Contracting Party.

Amendments and extension to this Memorandum may be made at any time by written arrangement between the Contracting Parties.

Notwithstanding the termination of this Memorandum, the activities already in progress shall continue until completed.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, duly authorized by their respective Government, have signed this Memorandum

Done at Manila on 29 April 1991, in two originals, each in Filipino, Hindi and English languages, all texts being usually authentic. In case of any discrepancy, the English text shall prevail.

Entry into Force: April 29, 1991