Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

AALP Class 14 International Study Tour - February 17 to 20, 2013

Sunday, February 17 & Monday, February 18, 2013

AALP Class 14 arrived at Pearson International Airport on time for departure on our International Study Tour to India.  After a short delay everyone was eager to get started on our trip.  The first leg took us to Brussels where we were informed we were in for an 8 hour layover.  Most of the class was able to catch some sleep or to sample some wonderful Belgium beer.  Remi Van de Slyke, Mark Hermann and Graham Hoogterp joined the main group after their own pre-study tour trips in Belgium and the Netherlands.  So after a lengthy delay we were off to New Delhi, India, arriving there at 4:00 a.m.  

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

AALP Class 14 has finally arrived in India! At 4:00 a.m. the plane arrived at the New Delhi airport. After a quick refresh at the hotel, the class was off to the High Commission of Canada to hear from a plethora of its employees including the High Commissioner (Ambassador), Stewart Beck; AAFC representative in India, Kathleen Donohue; and other representatives who discussed such topics as politics and economy in India and engagement of Canada, and Ontario in particular, in India. Also on-hand to meet with the class was Sara Ahmed, who represents IDRC's agricultural projects in Canada. She explained many of the ongoing projects, most of which partner with the University of Guelph. Interesting learnings from the morning included better understanding of the relationships between India and Canada, the politics of India and advancements in this area, and where the High Commission of Canada would most like to see relationships between the two countries further flourish (trade, improvement of Indian agricultural practices, opportunities for shared learning). The class was then back to the hotel to pick up their belongings and then off by over-night train to Mumbai – and hopefully a better night sleep for everyone!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

For some AALP Class 14 members it was a good sleep, others not so much, due to the cramped quarters on the train. Either way, we arrived in Mumbai where we were greeted with some hot and humid weather. A quick check in at the Fariyas Hotel and we were on a bus checking out the expansive, twenty million person city. The afternoon of sightseeing included the Prince of Wales Museum, the Mahatma Ghandi Museum, a general tour of the city (with local guide), and a view of the most expensive house in the world a two billion dollar, 400,000 sq. ft. establishment housing 5 people and employing 400. This house, found in the richest part of the Mumbai Malaban Hill, is owned by Mr. Umbani, owner of Reliance Industries, the richest man in India.  Another interesting stop on the tour was the largest laundry facility in India, an outdoor wash, dry, iron, fold and deliver business called the Dohbi Ghat. After a visit to the Gate of India, we returned to the hotel for a late dinner and to catch up on some much needed rest, in preparation for an early start tomorrow. 

Mike Menzi, Remi Van De Slyke, Michelle Wall - AALP Class 14 Bloggers

Views: 623

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by OntAG Admin on February 21, 2013 at 2:59pm

Some AALP India Tour Photos here  http://ontag.farms.com/photo

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Steve Robinson, research scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Working in the world of epigenetics, Steve Robinson is a research Scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Robinson was born and raised in Dudley, England, and has studied genetics nearly all his life. He began his post-secondary education studying genetics at the University of Birmingham, earned a PhD in molecular genetics from Newcastle University and studied at the John Innes Centre in Norwich before moving to Canada as a postdoctoral researcher. He lives in Saskatoon with his wife and daughter. What got you interested in this area of work? Well, genetics seemed to be the area where you could be the most experimental in biology. This, combined with advances in molecular biology, I found fascinating. As an undergraduate student I found there were descriptive areas of biology that interested me less, and I was more drawn to experiments involving heritable traits – seeing changes occur over generations. I guess I have always been fascinated by genetics. When I went to

Canadian Beef Producers Extremely Disappointed by US Tariffs to Begin February 4

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) and National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA) are extremely disappointed that 25% tariffs will be implemented on Tuesday, February 4 on all products imported into the United States from Canada. We will continue working together with the Government of Canada and partners on both sides of the border to remove tariffs on live cattle and beef. “The integration of the North American live cattle and beef supply chain is unlike anywhere in the world, contributing to both food security and local and regional food systems,” says Nathan Phinney, CCA President. “The United States and Canada have the largest two-way trade in live cattle and beef in the world. American-born cattle are fed in Canadian feedlots before returning to the United States for processing. Tariffs would greatly increase the cost of processing cattle and ultimately the cost of beef on both sides of the border.” Will Lowe, Chair National Cattle Feeders’ Association, adds that a substant

CCGA Launches 2025 Cash Advance Applications

Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) continues its 40th year of supporting the working capital needs of Western Canadian farmers, with the launch of its 2025 Advance Payments Program (APP) cash advance application. “Starting today, farmers in Western Canada can apply for a 2025 cash advance during our early application window,” says Dave Gallant, Vice-President, Finance & APP Operations at CCGA. “Now is a great time for farmers to get their application submitted, so we can process their paperwork and provide the spring operating funds they need as quickly as possible.” This year, CCGA will begin issuing cash advance funds on April 1. Every year, over 10,000 farmers in Western Canada benefit from the flexibility and cost-savings of a cash advance from CCGA. “The combination of no-interest and low-interest financing can result in significant cost savings,” says Gallant. For 2025, farmers can apply for up to $1 million in financing, with the interest-free component at $100,000 a

Could Canada Really Grow Citrus in Canada Year Round?

With minimal heating and regenerative soil methods, citrus farming is possible in cold climates.

Reprieve From Tariff Woes For Canada

There was a collective sigh of relief Monday afternoon, after word came down from the Prime Minister, there is a 30 day reprieve on Donald Trump’s tariffs. That put Canada’s plan to retaliate with tariffs on billions of dollars of US goods on hold, at least for now. The White House put a hold on tariffs on Mexican products as well, earlier in the day. In both cases, Canada and Mexico agreed to spend millions of dollars putting more boots on the ground at its border with the US. The prime minister announced an around the clock border surveillance, including the use of helicopters and the appointment of a fentanyl czar. President Trump said from the beginning, this is about curtailing the flow of illegal drugs from both Canada and Mexico into his country, although in the case of Canada, there seems to be more emphasis on trade than drugs. For years, the president has had Canada’s supply managed industries like dairy in his sites and that’s not likely to change. So what should Canada fo

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service