Patna, (Bihar Times): A delegation of Manitoba, the western province of Canada, led by its deputy premier-cum-minister of agriculture, food and rural initiatives, Rosann Wowchuk, called on the chief minister, Nitish Kumar, on Saturday. The team showed its willingness to enter into collaboration with Bihar and expressed interest in reviving agriculture and marketing activities here.

The team comprises top-level executives from Candian agro-based organizations, including the International Grains Institute, Wheat Board, and the researchers of Manitoba University. The chief minister appreciated and promised full cooperation to the delegation.

The delegation interacted with members of trade and industry here at the office of Bihar Industries Association over the modalities to tap the agro food potential of the state with value addition through food processing.

While speaking before the members of the Bihar Industries Association, Wowchuk, said that India, especially Bihar, had vast potential for agro-food growth and she was looking towards the interest of Bihar in improving their value-added agro industry.

The Canadian experts, who accompanied the delegation, said 30 to 40 per cent of the agro-produce in the state could be saved through adequate storage, proper handling and development of food centres.

The BIA president K P Jhunjhunwala said the Bihar government had under a pro-active industrial policy announced provision of subsidy for agro-based industry. He urged Wowchuk to give a helping hand in development of pulses, maize, fruits, and horticulture produce-based industries, which have good potential in the state.

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