Organised by Indo-Canadian Business Chamber in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry, Ministry of External Affairs of India
Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development, Panchayat Raj and Food Processing Industries, said that the recently announced initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi include policy reforms for establishment of One Nation-One Market, contract agriculture with appropriate measures to protect small and marginal farmers, and Rs one lakh crore Agri Infra Fund.
In his inaugural address at the two-day India-Canada Agri-Tech Virtual Seminar organised by the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber (ICBC) in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Tomar said that India, in particular, during the last six months of the global pandemic crisis has made considerable progressive reforms in the agricultural sector. These include policy reforms for the establishment of One Nation-One market, contract farming along with appropriate measures for the safety and freedom of farmers. India has over 450 start-ups in the agri-tech sector.
Indicating the rapid growth in agri-trade between India and Canada, Tomar said that India is the fifth largest importer of Canadian vegetables and raw agricultural materials and the seventh largest importer of leguminous vegetables, called ‘Vegetarian Protein’.
Mary-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Government of Canada highlighted the fact that Canada and India have a proud history of strong bilateral trade and collaboration in agriculture, with a vibrant trading relationship in agriculture and agri-food, valued at over $1.5 billion. She went on to point that in India, rapid economic growth is driving new consumer demands and preferences, and Canada can help India meet those demands through scientific and technological expertise in food processing, food safety and transportation infrastructure.
Nadira Hamid, CEO, ICBC said that ICBC will soon be releasing a white paper report mapping the business opportunities between India and Canada in Agriculture and Agri-tech. Nadir Patel, Canadian High Commissioner to India, Ajay Bisaria, Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Dr Alka Bhargava, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, P Harish, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Salil Singhal, CII National Council Member and other dignitaries were part of the programme.
Source: PIB
