Turning the desert green

The Hassad investment decisions are aimed at vertically intergrated agriculture and its ability to provide both food and trading opportunities.  There were very few countries not on Hassads list (interestingly, NZ has a reputation of being ‘difficult’ due to the tensions around foreign investment in land).  Australia, South America and the Sudan were high on the shopping list.

A trip out to the Hassard Fodder Farm was an eye opener – here we saw the desert turn green – 12 centre pivots watering Rhodes grass and Lucerne.  All this feed was baled into small squares for a market that revolves around everyone having 2 sheep and a goat – the nomadic ways of the Bedouin are not far from the surface here.

Mix money and water...

I now know the meaning of ‘oasis’. Doha is very much like a mirage rising from the desert – an apparition concocted from sand and sea.

We arrived on a ripple of heat waves – 10am in the morning and the temperature would have been very close to 35 deg C.

The accommodation and service were exemplary – we could learn a few things about looking after our guests from these wonderful, warm people.

We were extremely priviledged to have Mark Cook from Hassad Foods speak to us for a short time in the evening.  As the Financial manager (in control of the spending)he had some valuable insight into what our markets value and how to be successful when dealing with cultures other than our own.  All of us would have been happy to spend hours just listening!!!

Hassad was set up by the Qatari government to ensure food safety for a country that imports about 90% of its food.  Qatar has the interesting dynamic of having a population of 1.3 million of which only approx 300,000 are native Qataris.  As a result the array of foods and services available in this tiny country are truly astounding.  This is, of course, helped by the black gold that runs freely under the sand – wealth makes for choice and for luxury!

Qatar

Wow - talk about going from one extreme to another!

Aside from the heat Qatar bears no resemblence to India whatsoever.  Here we were greeted by Annabel Coppin who previously worked with the MLA.  Once again we were thoroughly spoilt with the programme arranged for us. 

A picture paints a thousand words...

India in Pictures



Heading out of Bangalore



We were welcomed so warmly

India strikes again!



In the slums of Delhi - wonderful kids




India Gate - Delhi



Foodies - with Rick Stein in Amritsar



An "Aahhaa" moment



Ah, India…  the writer in me struggles to capture a small iota of the essence of this extraordinary country.

Sitting on a bus watching landscape and people stream by.  The colours sparkle in the saris and road signs offset by the dull, dusty roads.  The faces are stunning.  Eyes deep brown to hazel green.  Skin polished nut.  Ready to smile, nod acknowledgement, laugh.

It is no hard thing to imagine why the British were content to annex this wonderful land.  Taking tea in a colonial era hotel, the air perfumed with exotic flowers and spices, birds singing, dogs barking.  Wandering the halls of the Mysore Palace marveling at the art works, frescos and opulence.  Swaying, dreaming aboard an Indian Elephant.  Transported to another time.

The debris of human life, trash and open toilet drains, abandoned government infrastructure, women with babies strapped to their sides begging, endless coconut husks.  It’s not all pretty.

The livestock make me chuckle – each rural home has 2 or 3 cows tethered outside.  Often their horns are painted for festivals.  Indian zebus?  Definitely Bos Idicus.  Sheep few and far between.  Goats more common.  Not for milking, which surprises me?  Horses starved and struggling – the motorbike has taken over.  Dogs everywhere, barking, scavenging and doing what dogs do.  No cats at all.

I am transfixed, astonished, horrified.  I am blessed to be here, knowing I will come home to my most fortunate life.

On The Road in India

Ramesh was fantastic at painting the picture of India for us.  On the bus in the morning he explained the massive population surge the cities are seeing.  It is simply impossible to keep abreast of the infrastructure required (roading, sewage, electricity, housing, education, healthcare).  We are here in the dry season and the living standards we are seeing are challenging beyond imagination – the monsoon season can only be hellish.

Once out of the city we could see the first of the small agricultural plots, that many farming families are surviving on. There was rice, corn, sugarcane and some small horticulture plots. Most farms between 2-5 acres, with all the produce traded on a local market for other produce. We stopped at one sugar cane farm where the cane was ‘refined’ over an open fire and set in the air (and flies) alongside the dairy cows!

INCREDIBLE INDIA

We were met by Australian Nuffield Scholar, Marc Jackson, in Singapore who happened to be on the same flight to Bangalore.  Marc is exploring the opportunities for banana production in a joint venture in southern India.  Doing business in India requires a vast experience in relationship building and bucket loads of patience!!!  Marc will be with us for the next few days.



First Stop in India with Marc and Ramesh




Marc Jackson - Picnic Lunch



Arriving in Bangalore we were greeted by Ramesh, our Indian host for the southern part of our time here, who had a bus to the hotel – bed never feels so good as after a long haul flight!!