Alberta signs agricultural agreement and MOU with Meghalya and Punjab

Premier Redford with Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr. Mukul Sangma

from Government of Alberta press releases

On Sunday January 12, 2014 Alberta Premier Alison Redford signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State of Meghalaya, India that will provide new opportunities for Alberta agricultural producers. On Monday January 13 January 13, 2014 an agreement was signed between Alberta and the State of Punjab to increase cooperation and enhance trade and investment activities between the two jurisdictions.

The MOU supports an immediate increase in the sale of livestock genetics from Alberta to Meghalaya and facilitates further trade and cooperation on food processing and safety and on products such as canola, pulses and agriculture machinery.

“This region of India has a population of more than 40 million - that’s more than Canada’s population - and it holds huge opportunities for Alberta agriculture producers. In particular, this means Alberta’s innovative and efficient pork producers will have new and exciting opportunities in India.” - Premier Alison Redford

Minister Bhullar signing Letter of Intent with the State of Punjab

This MOU will allow a smooth flow of Alberta agrifood products to India, including, but not limited to, swine genetics. It will also and create an agricultural working group which will meet on a regular basis to discuss further trade and cooperation on products such as canola, pulses, and agriculture machinery. The MOU signing comes on the first day of meetings of the trade mission to India led by Premier Alison Redford.

"Cooperation between the two Governments and their respective departments and agencies provides a great opportunity to work with the Indian Ministries of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Bureaus and agricultural and veterinary institutions. This will open the door for Alberta companies to meet with agriculture departments and provide more access for our province's agricultural products."- Alfred Wahl, President, Polar Genetics Canada

The agreement with Punjab focuses on aspects of agriculture and animal genetics, will help increase trade in the areas of dairy production and swine genetics, and establish an Agricultural Working Group (AWG) to encourage communication on projects of importance.

“Alberta has strong economic and cultural ties with Punjab and today’s agreement will build on those ties and strengthen our agricultural sectors. A key part of our Building Alberta Plan is opening new markets for Alberta’s resources. This agreement will help us do just that.” - Alison Redford, Premier of Alberta

Alberta and Punjab have a strong collaborative relationship and have previously established ties in agriculture, animal husbandry and education.


On average, more than $102 million worth of products and services are exported from Alberta to India each year. Alberta values this relationship and is keen to further strengthen economic development through industry-to-industry linkages, knowledge sharing, and increased trade and investment.

Alberta also has a large Sikh community that contributes actively to political, social and business activities throughout the province, helping to make Alberta one of the greatest places to live, work and raise a family.

India represents a market of more than one billion people and is one of the world’s fastest growing economies. With a growing middle class, and an increasing demand for healthy foods and alternative sources of animal proteins, India is a high priority market for Alberta’s agriculture sector. India is already Canada’s largest market for pulses (dry beans, chickpeas and lentils) as well as the world’s largest consumer and importer of pulses.