Kolkata, 18th July 2024: Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hosted an industry interaction with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India on Thursday, 18th July 2024 at Hyatt Regency. The event highlighted West Bengal’s Food Processing Potential and Preview in World Food India 2024. Notable figures including Mr. Preet Pal Singh, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India; Mr. Arvind Kumar, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India; Mr. Sandipan Sensarma, Senior AVP, Invest India; Mr. Prashant Jalan, Member, ICC Executive Committee & MD, Bengal Nestor’s Industries Ltd.; and Mr. Siddharth Dutta, Consultant, FICCI, graced the event with their presence.
Emphasising on the Food Processing Sector, Mr. Preet Pal Singh, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, stated, “West Bengal is renowned for its robust agriculture sector, diverse resources and favourable climatic conditions that support extensive cultivation. It is the largest producer of fruits and vegetables such as brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower and cucumber, and the second largest producer of rice and fish, underscoring its dominance in the seafood industry. The state is famous for its mango varieties, including Himsagar and Malda mangoes and the highly prized Darjeeling tea known for its rich history and taste. Today’s event is a significant prelude to the mega event, World Food India 2024, which provides a platform to showcase the immense potential of the food processing and allied sectors. The event will highlight state-of-the-art innovations, emphasise sustainability and discuss various policies being implemented. India’s agricultural sector is a powerhouse of innovation and productivity, being a global producer of diverse products ranging from grains to fruits, vegetables, milk and spices. The Government of India is dedicated to the holistic development and growth of the Indian food processing sector, implementing various policies and reforms to promote this sector and business opportunities within it. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has introduced numerous schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana and the PMFME scheme, covering the entire value chain and supporting everyone from micro-entrepreneurs to large industries. In West Bengal, under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, 15 projects were initiated with 12 completed. Under the Unit Scheme, 18 projects were sanctioned and 7 completed. A mega food park in Murshidabad has been funded under the Government of India’s scheme. The PLI scheme categorises support for big companies and organic products. Additionally, 26 micro-enterprises in West Bengal have received loans under the FME Scheme. The Government of India is also promoting the agri-food industry through schemes like the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, ensuring comprehensive support for the sector, thus boosting the growth of food processing. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has conceptualised World Food India, a mega food event that brings together global and domestic industry leaders, investors, innovators and policymakers to foster developments and showcase advancements in the sector. Following the success of the 2023 event, the third edition of World Food India 2024 will be held from 19 to 22 September at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The second edition saw active participation from West Bengal with a dedicated pavilion and 47 companies from the state.”
Mr. Prashant Jalan, Member, ICC Executive Committee & MD, Bengal Nestor’s Industries Ltd, shared his views on the Indian Food Processing Sector, emphasising its crucial role in linking farmers with the domestic market for a smoother farm-to-plate process. He stated, “The sector offers vast investment opportunities due to India’s strong agricultural base. As of July 2024, it involves about 13 million people directly and 35 million indirectly, significantly contributing to the Indian economy. With the economy expanding and female labour force participation increasing by 4.2% from the last survey, the demand for processed food continues to grow. Health-conscious consumers have made India a hub for multinational and national food manufacturers. West Bengal, abundant in food, cereals and vegetables, leads in rice, vegetable and fruit production and ranks first in total meat production, presenting significant investment opportunities. Advantages include a large supply of agro-based raw materials, abundant water from the Hooghly River, low-cost skilled labour, the Haldia port for exports, and Kolkata’s proximity to domestic markets. Various food parks are being developed in the state to support small and medium enterprises financially. Kolkata, known for its sweets, has the potential to become a hub for the food processing sector. World Food India, organised by the Ministry of Food Processing, provides a platform to showcase the sector’s capabilities, aiming to make India a global food basket. The initiative offers significant opportunities for West Bengal to highlight its advantages and foster growth. The Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Mr. Chirag Paswan and Union Minister for State Food Processing Industries, Ravneet Singh Bittu, launched the website and mobile app for World Food India 2024, emphasising holistic development across the food and allied sectors to achieve the goals of Aatmnirbhar and Viksit Bharat. World Food India aims to promote diverse food cuisines and cultural practices globally, hoping to drive growth and development through this mega event.”
Mr. Sandipan Sensarma, Senior AVP, Invest India, said, “Following the resounding success of World Food India 2023, the Ministry of Food Processing Industry is organising the third edition of World Food India 2024 from 19th to 22nd September at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Our key objectives include showcasing innovation-driven solutions, exploring investment opportunities, promoting sustainability and indigenous production techniques. We aim to make this event as inclusive as possible, catering to all segments of the food processing and allied industries—from food processors and manufacturers to supply chain providers, technology suppliers and machine manufacturers. World Food India 2023 witnessed significant participation with 14 higher ministries and departments, 24 states and Union territories, 16 international delegations from 47 thematic countries, and 6 Government-to-Government meetings, culminating in an MoU worth $3.19 billion. Netherlands featured as the partner country and Japan as the focus country with 15 exhibiting nations engaging in fruitful discussions between foreign and domestic buyers. Domestically, we had 5 partner states, 7 focused states and 12 exhibitor states, including West Bengal with strong participation from 47 companies. Looking ahead to World Food India 2024, we anticipate exhibitions, specialised pavilions, a startup grand challenge and a vibrant food street. The event’s focus pillars include plant-based proteins, minimising waste while maximising value, sustainable packaging and ensuring food safety. To encourage innovation, the Ministry of Food Processing launched a startup grand challenge on 21st June with applications open until 21st July, offering cash prizes to 6 winners. Additionally, a diverse food street will showcase cuisines and cultures from around the world.”
Commenting on the World Food India 2024 schedule, Mr. Siddharth Dutta, Consultant, FICCI, said, “The first day will kick off with the inauguration by the hon’ble Prime Minister. We’ll also host the CIO roundtable, focusing on policy matters. Thematic knowledge sessions will span across four days, alongside exhibitions. Days 2 and 3 will feature the FSSAI Global Food Regulators Summit concurrent with World Food India, alongside more sessions and exhibitions. On the fourth day, winners of the Startup Grand Challenge will be announced, alongside B2B and G2G meetings.”
Mr. Arvind Kumar, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, said, “World Food India, scheduled from 19th to 22nd September 2024, is a pivotal platform to showcase our strengths in the food industry, agro-innovative solutions and to form strategic partnerships. It provides a unique opportunity to engage with key decision-makers, discover the latest trends and technologies and position ourselves at the forefront of the global food sector. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries calls upon all stakeholders to contribute to the success of this landmark event. Let’s connect and collaborate to unlock the growth of the dynamic food processing industry.”
