Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Forestry was in town recently. SHAlINI SAKSENA spoke with Oneil Carlier about the job and study opportunities for Indian students in Canada
What are some of the courses that Alberta can offer to Indian students related to agricultureIJ
There is a large Indian student population in University of Alberta. As such, the university has several good programmes for Indian students wanting to pursue a course in agriculture. I encourage students anywhere in India to look at Alberta for their educational needs. There are exchange of ideas through Memorandum of Understand and student exchange programmes as well. These initiatives just show the great partnership that we have with India and education forms a big part of it.
You mentioned Swine Genetics. Is there a particular region that you are looking for ties-ups in IndiaIJ
For now, we are not concentrating on any region. We are open to talks with anyone who might be interested and suggestions. As for job opportunities, once the India students finish their programme from a Canadian university, with the expertise that they would have gained, they can open up a piggery farm here in India. There are other options for people. We have a very superior pork products — clean air, water and feed. But the aim is to focus on technical exchange for this visit.
What are the benefits involved for India and Alberta in agricultureIJ
We have a larger land base — 15 million acres of farmland and 60 per cent of forest cover area. For our agriculture industry to grow and since we have a small population, we are an exporting nation. Besides exporting to the US, there are other markets like China, Japan and now India as well. The only way that we can continue to grow our industry is to make it viable is to look at trading opportunities to benefit both (India and Canada).
How will opening of market benefit AlbertaIJ
There are several benefits of the oil. For our producers, they are looking at a bigger picture and plan to increase their production and would be looking at markets to sell it. Markets like India provide an opportunity for both of us. For India better oil and Canada (Alberta) better trade opportunities leading to opportunities in other sectors as well.
Are you also looking at trade opportunities in forest industryIJ
like I mentioned, we have 60 per cent of forest cover in Alberta in a province that is roughly the size of Texas, US. Our forest products are good too. We have soft wood — Pine, Spruce and Fir. It is very dense wood — because of the climate, the trees grow slowly. We have pulp for the paper industry and some of it is coming to India. So there are opportunities here too.
What were the key points that you looked at during this visit to IndiaIJ
There were a number of things that we spoke of but more importantly, it was related to Pulses Conclave. To talk to Indian pulse growers, processors but mostly from pulse growers from all around the world and what we (Canada) can do. There is a bit of a friction regarding fumigation. But we are confident we go get past. We also had the opportunity to speak on Swine Genetics — opening Piggery — exchange of ideas, research, and technical aspects like machinery. Then there was Canola oil. It is one of the healthiest of oils and India is the second largest user of edible oil. We want our importers to know the market that India has and close some of the gaps that exist.