UK–Punjab Agri-Tech Roundtable Conference at Mega Food Park

Ludhiana, October 31, 2026: A roundtable conference involving a delegation from the United Kingdom (UK) and representatives of the Food Processing Industry was held on Friday at Mega Food Park, Ladhowal, Ludhiana. The conference aimed to explore opportunities for bilateral investment, trade and technological collaboration between Punjab and the United Kingdom.
The discussions were led by Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High Commissioner, along with sector experts and representatives from the UK Government’s Department of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
The event was jointly organised by Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Invest Punjab. The event was attended by Rishabh Bansal, Addl. Managing Director, PAIC; Ashpreet Sahni, Former Chairman, CII Ludhiana Zone; Amandeep Grewal, Deputy Head of the British Mission; Anup Narayanan, Senior Trade Adviser; Japinder Singh Bajwa, General Manager, PAIC; and other senior officials.
Representatives from several prominent Food Processing Industries, including Godrej Foods, BONN Bread, Cremica Foods, DelMonte, Basant Foods, Star Foods, Anand Kartar Bakery, GEP Group, Mama Grains, Chanakya Dairy, Beehive Farms, BD Agro, Amar Agriculture, BF Biotech, Milkfed and Markfed, also participated in the roundtable.
The benefits and opportunities arising from the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were discussed at length. It was highlighted that the reduction in tariffs could boost bilateral trade and investment, facilitate the movement of agricultural and food processing equipment, and simplify custom procedures.
Robotic packaging equipment was cited as an example, wherein tariffs have reportedly been reduced from approx. 8% to nearly zero following the FTA.
Several areas of potential collaboration were also explored, including breeding technologies and genetics, carbon projects, animal husbandry, modernisation of Punjab's agricultural sector and horticulture. The UK delegation informed the industry representatives that its key focus areas include business innovation, science and trade, traceability, quality testing, with an emphasis on fostering partnerships and encouraging investment through the joint venture route.
During the interaction, industry representatives highlighted specific areas where UK collaboration could be beneficial. They requested the UK delegation to facilitate access to improved seed potato varieties and related technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and increase yields. Industries also expressed interest in exploring the possibility of importing raw chicken from Punjab into the UK, citing the sector's significant potential. Milkfed, meanwhile, expressed interest in exploring joint partnerships to facilitate its entry into the UK market.
Punjab Agro highlighted the investment opportunities available to British Food Processing Industries at Mega Food Park, Ludhiana, a state-of-the-art industrial project developed under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GoI.
PAIC also offered to act as a facilitator and coordinator between the Food Processing Industries operating at Mega Food Park and their counterparts in the UK to promote
business linkages, encourage joint ventures and facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships between the two countries.
The roundtable provided a valuable platform for meaningful interaction between the UK delegation and Punjab's industrial stakeholders, opening avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation, investment and technology transfer in the agriculture and food processing sect