The Indian state of Haryana has signed a memorandum of cooperation with US state Iowa, in a move that is set to improve fresh produce packaging efficiencies in the Asian nation, according to the Times of India.
Upon signing the agreement in the US this week, Haryana agriculture minister Om Prakash Dhankar said he hoped the pact would pave the way for US experts to train the state’s fruit growers in new packaging methods.
'Our farmers are good in harvesting but don't know about the post harvesting techniques to deliver the products to the consumers directly,' Dhankar explained.
The Haryana government is looking to double the area of the state under horticultural production within the next 10 years, in order to capitalise on increasing demand for fresh produce in nearby Delhi. Dhankar said the move will require the state to improve the way it packs, processes, stores and markets its offerings.
'We will invite the American experts to share their concept of farm to direct bazar,' Dhankar said.
Bill Northey,Iowa's secretary of agriculture, told Nexstar Broadcasting the state don't have a large trade business with India at the present time. However, he sees a great opportunity for Iowa's agriculture sector to export to the Asian nation over coming years, mainly due to the country’s population of 1.2bn people and their growing need for safe and clean fresh food.
