U.S. Companies Reveal Benefits of Private Sector Outreach to India’s Food Sector

USIBC Food Security Mission to India Unveils “Unlocking India’s Rural Sector: U.S. Industry Contributions”

Secretary for Agriculture Shri T. Nanda Kumar today unveiled the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) publication “Unlocking India’s Rural Sector: U.S. Industry Contributions” at a joint roundtable with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Council on Agriculture and Food Processing senior executives and delegates of the USIBC’s 2009 Food Security & Rural Development Mission to India.

Indian farmers are credited with successfully averting famine in the country for several decades, but the worst monsoon of 37 years in 2009 brings into sharp focus the further work required to improve food security. Spurring efficiencies in India’s agricultural production, to 4% per annum, will be essential to achieve broadly inclusive growth, while adopting international best practices and products will further reinforce food security for both urban and rural populations.

‘Unlocking India’s Rural Sector’ was unveiled at the launch of USIBC’s 2009 Food Security Mission, co-led by Mr. Bob Milligan, Chairman, M.I. Industries and Chairman, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Paul Conway, Senior Vice President, Cargill, Inc. USIBC’s executive delegation has arrived to New Delhi to highlight the benefits American industry can introduce to India’s farmers and consumers, ranging from advanced farming implements and inputs, to value-added food processing facilities, to supply chain improvements to water sustainability techniques to healthful products for Indian consumers.

Chairman of CII’s National Council on Agriculture and Food Processing and Vice Chairman and Managing Director Bharti Enterprises Limited Mr. Rakesh Bharti Mittal addressed the joint session of private sector executives, speaking to the potential for Indian and American corporations to make tremendous positive impacts on the country’s rural communities. He cited the USIBC publication as highlighting some of the many examples of ways in which the private sector continues to support India’s food and advanced agricultural productivity needs.

“India’s agricultural development will depend on leadership at the government level, but also on the technology and skills that the private sector will introduce to our farmers and rural communities. I’m delighted to unveil ‘Unlocking India’s Rural Sector: U.S. Industry Contributions’ as an example of how corporates bring value to our farmers and consumers, and will likewise look forward to the benefits that these and other companies will bring in the future,” said Secretary T. Nanda Kumar.

USIBC Director Anku Nath remarked “India’s first Green Revolution was sparked by joint U.S.-Indo scientific collaboration. ‘Unlocking India’s Rural Sector’ reveals that American companies remain committed to ensuring food security in India.” She further added, “These companies bring with them international best practices and products that have already proven effective in dramatically increasing agricultural yields in sustainable ways. Their continued involvement in India’s food and agriculture sector bodes well for farmers, consumers, and rural communities throughout the country.”

The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), formed in 1975 at the request of the Government of India and the U.S. Government to deepen trade and strengthen commercial ties, is hosted under the aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

www.usibc.com