Netherlands Minister Silvio Erkens visits India to boost agrifood ties

Silvio Erkens, the Dutch Minister for Food Security, Fisheries and Horticulture, is conducting an official visit to India from September 27 to October 2. The mission aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, horticulture, sustainable food processing, and innovative value chains.

This visit is the first by a Dutch government minister since the announcement of a Strategic Partnership following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands in May. It also marks the first visit by a minister from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature since 2018. The diplomatic engagement follows negotiations on the EU-India trade agreement concluded in January 2026.

Minister Erkens highlighted India’s growing role as a global player in agrifood innovation, noting that Dutch expertise in seed improvement and greenhouse technologies presents significant economic opportunities. A delegation of 18 Dutch firms is participating in the mission to explore sectors including sustainable crop protection, logistics, and technology. Currently, over 350 Dutch businesses operate in India, primarily in the poultry, dairy, potato, and seed sectors.