Union Minister of State for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs (Independent charge) K.V. Thomas will lead a strong contingent of Indian delegation at the upcoming Canada India Agriculture and Food Processing Forum scheduled during September 10-13 at the Canadian cities of Vancouver and Saskatoon.

Organised by Canada India Foundation (CIF), a non-profit organisation founded by entrepreneurs and professionals to foster support for stronger bilateral relations, the Forum has attracted a large number of policymakers, researchers, business houses and related others who are expected to represent the Canadian side to discuss ways and means to boost trade and investment between the two countries. “Canadian provinces British Columbia and Saskatchewan are crucial to the growth in agriculture and food processing trade with India”, V.I. Lakshmanan, co-chair of the Forum, told Business Line.

Food security, trade and investment, market access, food processing, logistics and supply chain as well as cash crops and value-addition are some of the key topics experts presenters will explore.

“The rising potential in agriculture and India’s key role in combating food insecurity has attracted global players like Canada and it is in this context that this Forum is organised,” explained Kalyan Sundaram, CIF Executive Director.

In addition to senior officials from the Union Ministry of Food and the Planning Commission, ministers and officials from Punjab, Haryana and Karnataka are participating. The Agriculture and Food Processing Forum 2012 is the third of a series of events organised by CIF with the first two focusing on energy and mining.

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