Showcasing the Push for Sustainability, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
“Mitigating food wastage is a significant endeavour in realising the objective of sustainable lifestyle. Our products should be designed to minimize wastage,”
Government of India initiated the inaugural World Food India event in 2017 with the dual aim of showcasing India’s rich culinary traditions and encouraging investments in the country’s diverse food processing sector. In celebration of the International Year of Millets in 2023 and with the goal of fostering collaboration within the global food processing industry, the Government is hosting the second edition of ‘World Food India 2023’ from November 3rd to November 5th, 2023, in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second edition of the Mega food event ‘World Food India 2023’ on November 03, 2023. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister emphasized India’s three key growth pillars within the food processing sector: small farmers, small industries, and women.
He stressed the significance of Farmer Produce Organizations (FPOs) in empowering small farmers and revealed that 7,000 out of 10,000 planned FPOs have already been established, providing enhanced market access and processing facilities. Additionally, the Prime Minister mentioned the organization of 2 lakh micro-enterprises in the food processing industry to boost the participation of Small Scale Industries, with schemes like ‘One District One Produce’ (ODOP) creating new opportunities for small farmers and industries. He highlighted the increasing role of women in India’s economy, especially the natural leadership abilities of Indian women in the food processing industry and reaffirmed the government’s support for cottage industries and self-help groups for women at all levels.
Push For Sustainability & Innovation at World Food India
Companies at the exhibition
Several new products are being showcased at the World Food India exhibition, keeping in line with the demand from the urban population. Skyrrup is a company that caters to the urban population and its desire to eat healthy. Teaming up with an Icelandic company, Skyrrup has introduced an innovative product. Falling under the category of fermented cheese, the product resembles yogurt and contains 12% protein in every 100grams. The product is a rich source of calcium, is low in fat, is lactose free and has no added sugars. Similarly, innovation was the key element at the Aadvik stall. The brand sells non-bovine dairy products including goat and camel milk varieties. The company is also trying to break into the beauty industry by introducing soaps and face washes made from donkey milk and camel milk.
Sustainability is Key – Mission LiFE in Mission Mode
With rapid urbanization, the demand for packaged foods has gone up. Several companies catering to this particular demand displayed their products at World Food India, 2023. One such company was The High-Life Cuisine, which, under its brand names ‘Meatington’ and ‘Grab a green’ offers frozen food items. Ms Rachna Malik, the MD of The High-Life Cuisine, said their company also prioritises the importance of reducing food waste and designs their packages in such a way that they can be reused and recycled.
Further underscoring the themes of sustainability and innovation, one company present at the exhibition was advertising its accomplishment as being India’s first Api Tourism centre. Api Tourism or bee tourism marries the traditional bee-keeping and honey sector with tourism. The company, Baswant, is in the honey business, but at the same times it also reinforces the commitment towards the environment by highlighting the plight of bees at its campus through movies, interactive activities, apiary visits and Q&A sessions.
Unique ‘Food Street’ – Reviving India’s Culinary Culture
A unique ‘Food Street’ has been set up at the exhibition which showcases India’s diverse culinary culture. The Food Street has been curated by celebrity chef and restaurateur RanveerBrar and features stalls serving regional delicacies of India, the culinary heritage of India’s royal families and an all-millet pop-up restaurant. Speaking on the opening day of the event, Chef Brar said his vision for the Food Street centred around the core concepts of sustainability, revival and preservation of India’s food culture, and the use of millets to create a unique and enriching food experience for the visitors.
Several street vendors from across India who have benefited from the PM SVANidhi scheme are also invited to the Food Street to serve their specialities.
World Food India is a singular experience that brings together every aspect of the food processing industry, welcoming investors, introducing consumers to new products in the market as well as displaying innovative technologies. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted, there is no sector in the food processing industry where India has not shown unprecedented growth. The food processing industry truly has become India’s ‘sunrise sector’.
