by Ben Nuelle World of Agriculture 8-9-16
Iowa?s Agriculture Secretary and Haryana, India?s Cabinet Minister of Agriculture sign a cooperation agreement at the State Capitol.
Haryana, India?s Ag Minister Om Prakash Dhankar signed a cooperation agreement Monday with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.
?Certainly that was the Memorandum of Cooperation of how we can develop some exchanges and opportunities to go back and forth. They are very agriculture oriented, value education, a big grain and dairy producer as well. I think there will be some very good opportunities to work together.?
Northey says in the beginning this relationship with Haryana will not be about export opportunities.
?I think in some ways we look at this like the relationship with China like it started to develop 20 and 30 years ago. You build relationships and the economic opportunities in time.?
Northey says there are a lot of benefits but will be challenges too.
?First of all it?s a long way away on the other side of the world. Even exchanging communication if we?re on the phone we?re on opposite time zones. Export opportunities are limited just because of protectionism from India?s point of view and wanting to make sure they protect their farmers. I really do believe the opportunities will be able to increase.?
Minister Dhankar and other delegation visited Iowa Monday to learn about the state?s agricultural production. Haryana is located in the northwestern part of India. Approximately 84 percent of the state?s land is under cultivation.
