Haryana seeks Manitoba coooperation in agriculture

Chandigarh, Dec 11 (UNI) Haryana today sought the cooperation of the Manitoba Province of Canada in the fields of agriculture, food development centre models and increased trade relations in possible area of partnership and collaboration.

Haryana Agriculture Minister Harmohinder Singh Chatha, who met a Canadian delegation led by Manitoba Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture Rossane Wowchuk here today, urged them to make use of Haryana's abundantly available efficient manpower resource in agriculture sector for the production of crops in Canadian fields and exchange visits of scientists and farmers.

Mr Chatha also called for collaboration in the field of developing heat-stress tolerant varieties of wheat which, he said was the major crop of Haryana grown during winter season.

The other sectors in which the cooperation of Canada was sought included transfer of technology on Maize production, exchange of scientific know-how to develop insect-pest resistant varieties, post harvest management and value addition, agriculture research and education and resource conserving technology.

He said being near to the national capital, Haryana had an edge over other states of the country. Despite being a tiny state, Haryana had made vast progress in a short span of over 40 years of its inception.

Ms Rossane Wowchuk said that Manitoba was also a small Province of Canada and Agriculture was its major industry. The Province had developed many unique clusters of food processing units aimed at providing better food for better health of the people.

She also remarked that the progress made by Haryana was commendable and Manitoba would definitely like to explore areas of cooperation with the state.

UNI