British business delegation in Guwahati
The agri-tech mission will provide British companies with an opportunity to forge a dynamic partnership with Indian buyers and influencers.
Department for International Trade has brought a 6 member livestock business mission to showcase the best of British agri-tech especially in the piggery sector. The companies are optimistic of expanding their business footprint in north east India and are presently scoping the region for business opportunities and joint ventures.
The UK is a world leader in the livestock sector and with India planning to double agricultural production by 2022, UK companies see major opportunities to support India in this direction.
In October 2017 the Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of India, accepted the UK’s revised export health certificate for export of live swine from the UK for breeding in India. This move is expected to give a major fillip to the India-UK trade and collaboration in the piggery sector.
The companies which are visiting Guwahati are among the best piggery enterprises in the UK specialising in all aspects of pig farming from genetics to meat processing and retailing.
Apart from the British Pig Association, members of the trade mission include:
- Genesus UK Ltd
- JSR Genetics
- MeatWise International
- Pedigree Exports UK
- Pedigree Pigs Ireland
An interactive business session was organised by the British Deputy High Commission Kolkata and the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Speaking at the session, the Deputy Head of Mission, British Deputy High Commission Kolkata, Shahida Khan said:
The UK is very keen on doing business with the Northeast. This is the third visit in 2 years by the British Pig Association who are trying to work with various state governments in the northeast region to improve the genetic potential of nucleus breeding stock.
Mentioning that the UK is at the forefront of advances in global agricultural technologies, Shahida Khan said that the UK offer to India covers the full spectrum of the livestock sector from genetics for improving production to setting up clean cold chain centres. On the piggery sector, she said British pedigree pigs offers advantages of superior production traits that include fast growth, low food conversion, maximum lean meat and unmatched sow productivity.
The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Principal Director, New Delhi, Dr Ranjeet Mehta, welcomed the UK delegation and felt that there were unmatched opportunities for India-UK collaboration in the livestock sector.
Further information
Piggery Industry in north east and India: India’s pork import was 527 metric tonnes in 2015. From 2010 to 2015 pork imports increased at a CAGR of 11% due to steady demand in the hotel, restaurant and institutional sectors as well in high-end retail segment. Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya are major pig rearing states of NER as 28% total pig population of India is found in this region.
According to the latest livestock census (19th Livestock Census, 2012) the pig population of India is more than 10 million, which amounts to about 2% of the country’s entire livestock and 1% of world pig population. Pig sector can play an important role in improving the socio-economic status of the weaker sections of the society. Pig farming provides significant opportunities for employment generation. Demand for pigs and fresh pork increased significantly over the last 5years causing a 20% increase in the price of pork.
UK delegation:
- Chris Jackson of British Pig Association
- Paul Anderson of Genesus UK Ltd
- John Alexander of JSR Genetics
- Jean-Pierre Garnier of MeatWise International
- Jane Mathews of Pedigree Exports UK
- Brian Kelly of Pedigree Pigs Ireland
Media
For media queries, please contact:
Stuart Adam, Head,
Press and Communications
British High Commission, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110021
Tel: 44192100; Fax: 24192411
Mail to: Mainak De
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