Deal with Meghalaya | Memorandum of understanding to develop opportunities for ag
Alberta premier Alison Redford signed an agricultural memorandum of understanding during her trade mission to India.
The MOU with the northeastern state of Meghalaya, which borders Bangladesh, will help develop opportunities for Alberta agriculture.
Alberta agriculture minister Verlyn Olson said provincial government staff and industry have worked in the area for several years, and this is another step in improving agricultural export opportunities.
“They are very interested in having greater access to protein,” Olson said.
“They have a growing middle class.…. Pork is a protein they have identified something they want more of and they don’t produce enough of it themselves and they are interested in what we produce and are also interested in our genetics to grow their own industry to supply themselves.”
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In a news release, Alberta pork genetic exporter Alfred Wahl of Polar Genetics Canada said the co-operation between levels of government allows great opportunities to work with Indian officials.
Olson said the MOU helps formalize the working relationship between Alberta and the Indian state.
“I would say maybe one of the more significant things that is in the agreement is the commitment to form a working group between officials on both sides so they can both identify opportunities as well as barriers that are in the way of us being able to access that market.”
Meghalaya is not the only area of the country where trade officials are working, but Redford was able to sign an agreement during her trade mission.
“One of the reasons we make all these trips is to seek out opportunities, and we’re not picky about what part of the country we’re from. It’s whoever is willing to work with us and where there is a need and an opportunity.”
Olson said the MOU is “an acknowledgement we have common interests and a commitment to work together to flesh out the details. It wasn’t like a big decision on a big detail item that brought the matter to a head.”
Leanne Fischbuch, executive director of Alberta Pulse, hadn’t heard of the MOU before the announcement but said any discussions between Canada and India are important.
“Anytime there is help to further develop the export market, that is always a benefit,” said Fischbuch.
Seventy percent of Alberta’s field peas are exported to India.
Bruce Jowett, vice-president of marketing with the Canola Council of Canada, said the organization has been spending “modest energy” developing markets for canola oil in the major centres of Delhi and Mumbai.
“As a council, we are looking at India.”
A limited amount of canola oil is sold to India, he added.
Darcy Fitzgerald, executive director with Alberta Pork, said any trade opportunities in India are good, even though only a small number of Alberta producers are involved in genetic exports.
“This is progress that gets you moving forward.”
