THE MINISTRY of Agriculture and Animal Resources has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian government to promote cooperation in water resource management with a focus on irrigation and capacity building.The pact was signed on Tuesday by Agriculture minister Dr. Agnes Matilda Kalibata, and the Indian Union Minister of Water Resources Harish Rawat in New Delhi where the minister had been invited.The signing of the MoU was witnessed by the Rwandan High Commissioner to India, Williams Nkurunziza and Indian government officials.The MOU sets up a joint commission composed of technical staff from both countries that will be charged with follow up of planned activities, a statement from the ministry says.A first Joint Commission meeting of both technical teams will take place late March to identify and agree on projects and programmes that will form the basis of sectoral cooperation."Minister Rawat commended the progress made by the Government of Rwanda and reiterated India’s commitment to continue working with Rwanda as a genuine partner in development,” reads part of the statement.Kalibata commended the cooperation with the Indian government and conveyed the government’s best wishes to the Government and people of India on the occasion of India’s Republic Day to be celebrated on January 26.It is understood this cooperation will help transform agriculture in Rwanda by increasing agricultural production for home consumption and export through irrigation.