IIMK-AARDO Sign MoU to Promote Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development

3rd May 2022

Thirty-three members, which include 31 countries in the African Asian Region are now set to receive renewed Research, Consultancy, Technical and Knowledge support in promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development practices from India’s premier B-School, The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed between Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director IIMK and His Excellency Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, African Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO), here in the capital city.

Speaking on the game-changing collaboration between a multilateral agency promoting sustainable development in some of the most vulnerable countries and an Indian Institution of National importance, H.E Dr. Nardeosingh added, “I am happy with the signing of this MoU with IIM Kozhikode. It will now bring regular interaction between the officials of member countries with the learned faculty members of IIMK through different technical programmes, which would bring better management skills to the officials in addressing the issues and challenges, being faced in the rural areas of AARDO member countries. AARDO would immensely benefit from the advanced scientific management methodology and tools to improve the life of rural areas.”

Expressing happiness on the growing global footprints and international collaborations that IIM Kozhikode has been pioneering for an Indian B-School, Prof. Chatterjee added, “Coming together of these two institutions for the greater good of the common people has tremendous potential to make difference to the life of billions of people of two continents- Africa and Asia which are bound by similar legacies and aspire for a bright future. IIM Kozhikode seeks to contribute the Indian Management wisdom for solving ever-changing technological Meta trends, which will overwhelm the rural life and agriculture sector in the new world order, driven by the rising Asia and aspiring Africa by means of successfully implementing studied Sustainable Agriculture and Sustainable Rural Development practices.”

The MoU, considering the mutual interest in agriculture and sustainable rural development in AARDO Member Countries, seeks that both the Organizations will cooperate and collaborate with each other to achieve common objectives, in particular with regard to addressing the challenges in agriculture and sustainable rural development; through research, publication, consultancy and advisory. Impetus will also be given to advance new knowledge and its sharing, innovative solutions, interventions and capacity enhancement to benefit and strengthen rural communities of these 33 members, which include 31 countries.

The MoU also endeavours to recognise the need for enhancing the self-reliance, economic resilience and social well-being of the people through ensuring sustainable livelihoods, improved quality of life and healthy environment in the Member Countries. It also has a provision to act as Forum to facilitate exchange of views and ideas for continuing dialogues on South-South and Triangular model of Cooperation for agricultural and rural development. Knowledge support and managerial professional development in the areas of fisheries, energy, livestock, sericulture, aquaculture, transportation, sustainable agriculture, rural settlement food processing & value-addition, water & waste management, diffusion and transfer models/channels for effective adoption of innovative, affordable and appropriate management practices are also part of this landmark MoU.

Both IIMK and AARDO will endeavour to organise international, regional and On-The-Spot (OTS)/in-country training programmes/workshops/seminars to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Member Countries. It will also conduct research, implement development projects jointly, exchange experts/specialists, create exchange programmes with Universities/Institutes in member countries and provide technical support in project formulations and consultancy, to make this coming together a success for developing countries in the Asian-African region coming under the umbrella of AARDO.