Trade group seeks to reinvigorate US-India agri partnership

A leading US-India trade group has suggested how India could enhance food safety, foster innovation, boost the competitiveness of local industry, and increase the speed of introducing new products to market.

The suggestions were discussed during the US-India Business Council (USIBC)'s just concluded first Food and Agriculture Executive Mission to India since 2011, according to the group comprised of 310 of the top-tier US and Indian companies.

The three-day mission entitled Reinvigorating the US-India Agricultural Partnership, "was an important milestone in efforts to "advocate for policies and regulations that improve agricultural productivity, enhance food safety, and ensure food security in India," it said.

In meetings with US and Indian officials, USIBC members also discussed ways to partner with the Indian government to advance Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" initiative, which calls for greater foreign investment in production and manufacturing in India, the group said.

"Our meetings this week were open, frank, and extraordinarily encouraging" said DuPont Pioneer President and Mission Co-Lead Paul Schickler.

"The officials we met with at all levels in the Indian Government were interested in gaining a better understanding of how they can partner with industry to generate greater investment at every level of the farm-to-fork food chain," he said.

"There is a real sense in New Delhi that the government is serious about the reforms that we have all heard so much about," Schickler added.

During the trip, USIBC members were able to strengthen ties with government and corporate leaders and reinforce the US industry's position as a collaborator with shared interests in advancing India's agriculture economy and food industry, the group said.

Siraj Chaudhry, chairman of Cargill Foods India and mission Co-Lead said the group has already outlined "several areas for collaboration between the US and Indian private and public sectors that will build capacity and enhance private sector engagement in policy and regulatory decision-making."