From February 1-8, 2020, AKI Project Manager Julia Fendel travelled to India together with Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i). The key topic of the delegation trip under the political guidance of State Secretary Friedlinde Gurr-Hirsch was connecting the agri-food industry of India and Baden-Württemberg. At the same time, a political delegation led by Minister of State, Theresa Schopper, as well as a cultural delegation led by State Secretary, Petra Olschowski, took place. The three delegations from Baden-Württemberg had several joint program highlights and thus had the opportunity to exchange views on various topics.

Within the framework of political expert exchange the participants travelled to Delhi, Pune, Nagpur and Mumbai in order to inform themselves about the market opportunities of the agricultural and food industry in India. The delegation participated in round table discussions with local experts and took part in subject-related excursions.

The program which started with a visit to the Ministry of Agriculture in New Delhi, was followed by round table discussions with, among others, the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ, English: German Corporation for International Cooperation) on the Deutschen Wissenschafts- und Innovationshäuser (DWIH, English: Green Innovation Centers program and the German Science and Innovation House). The program was completed by a visit to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture (MCCIA) as well as expert excursions to agricultural enterprises.

The diversified program enabled the participants to get a feeling for the Indian market and to explore the potential of various agricultural products from Germany (including agricultural technology and wine) for the Indian market. The expert discussions revealed a big interest in smart farming technologies from Baden-Württemberg, e.g. irrigation technology. Due to the increasing wine consumption of the Indian population, a great interest in knowledge transfer in the fields of cultivation and production of wine in India was expressed as well as in the import of German wines.

On the last evening of the delegation tour, the 16th Wine Festival took place in Mumbai, Stuttgart's twin city. Wine from Baden-Württemberg, Swabian specialities, folk music and various information booths gave an impression of the state of Baden-Württemberg to invited guests. Moreover, the festival provided an excellent platform to establish business contacts.