We are pleased to share that World Trade Center Shamshabad - India has partnered with Telangana State Food Processing Society for The Food Conclave , a flagship event hosted by the Government of Telangana. This exclusive annual event brings together top industry leaders, academic experts, and FPOs in the Indian agri-food sector to explore key trends and innovations. With a focus on envisioning India's decade in the agri-food sector, the Food Conclave aims to identify growth opportunities and exchange ideas and solutions that will drive innovation and progress.
Around 27 agri-food companies have signed MoUs
with Telangana government to invest totally Rs 7,218 crore creating direct
employment opportunities to about 58,458 people in the State during The Food
Conclave 2023 held here on Saturday.
The first edition of the annual event highlighted the need for increased investment in the production of agriculture, expanding supply food chain, and making policies that build both production and consumption.
The one-day conclave opened to a record-breaking number of attendees, with industry leaders and experts from all over the world flocking to the event to discuss the latest trends and innovations in agriculture.
The inaugural edition, which boasts a reputation as one of
the most prestigious and influential gatherings in the food-agri community,
featured an array of new partnerships and investments, further cementing its
position as a key platform for shaping the future of the industry.
With
a range of exciting developments on the horizon, attendees are eagerly
anticipating the insights and opportunities that this conference has to offer.
The event was inaugurated by Industries Minister KT Rama Rao and brought
together the top 100 agri-food industry leaders.
Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Minister Talasani Srinivas
Yadav, Agriculture & Co-operation Minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy, and
Industries & ITEC Principal Secretary Jayesh Ranjan also addressed the
gathering.
On
the occasion, KTR said “The State identifies food processing as a core thrust
area. Over the past five years, the State has added more than Rs 7,000 crore
worth fixed capital base to food processing capacities. In order to further
boost the food processing sector in the State, we are building Special Food
Processing Zones that will collectively bring more than 10,000 acres under
fresh food processing capacities. Furthermore, at the end of this conclave, the
State received more than Rs 7,000-crore investment commitment across the sectors,
in aqua, dairy, agro processing, and allied sectors creating total direct
employment of 58,458 by way of these investment opportunities.”
He added, "We are also working on the supply chain
linkages where we will connect the industry to the farmers of the state by
effectively deploying the agriculture extension system that we have built in
the state. The self-help groups (SHGs) in Telangana also present a massive
untapped potential in mobilizing farm produce in partnership with industry.
Therefore, we are creating farmer producer organisations (FPOs) to provide plug
and play supply chains for the food processing Industry."
The
minister further said: “We are also committed to empower small entrepreneurs in
the State and as of now nurturing more than 2,500 micro and small enterprises
held by the State departments and supported by several welfare schemes such as
the Dalit Bandhu Scheme. With industry friendly policies, robust and
fast-growing raw material base, world class industrial infrastructure and
active facilitation extended by our government to not just set up but to
operate the industry in the most competitive manner, Telangana is the best
place to be at this point in time."
The inauguration was followed by an inaugural panel
discussion on "Envisioning India’s Decade in the Agri-Food Sector",
which involved Dr Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, Dr RS Sodhi, President,
Indian Dairy Association; Dr Vijay Gupta, World Food Prize Laureate, Former ADG
WorldFish Centre (CGIAR) and Shiva Kumar S, CEO of ITC.
The
panelist in the inaugural track highlighted the need to address climate change,
improving supply chain, and also emphasised the great potential food processing
holds in the future. Niti Ayog Member said, “We have seen very less investment
in “production agriculture” and this needs to be enhanced.”
Five
thematic tracks revolving around agriculture (green), edible oil (yellow),
dairy (white), meat and poultry (pink) and aquaculture (blue) will be
predominantly hosted during the event.
Some of the key questions that will be debated in the green
revolution will encompass - Can India be the food bowl for the world while ensuring
its own food security, Market linked production – How to recalibrate? Managing
the macro – risks: Climate change, War, Disease, Trade embargo’s etc and Where
are India’s next Agri food unicorns?
The
"Yellow Revolution" track on the other hand will focus on - Realising
self-sufficiency for edible oils in India, Sustainability and responsibility in
edible oil production, Edible Oil Vs Health, and Navigating the dynamic global
policy environment.
During the Pink Revolution track panelist will engage in addressing
questions such as - Formalising the Indian meat value chain- Challenges &
Opportunities, Meat Industry as a driver for a circular rural economy? Making
the Indian poultry and meat industry globally competitive and Managing Macro
risks for the meat sector: Pandemics, bio security, climate change etc.
Another interesting track featured was the "Blue
Revolution" which deals with the Aquaculture sector, the track will focus
on Building the domestic demand for blue foods in India, Aquaculture as a
viable alternative to agriculture, What could be India’s next Vannamei moment?
and Can we create the next Amul in the Indian aquaculture sector?
The series of track included "White Revolution" -
highlighting issues and questions - Moving the Indian Dairy Industry up the
Value Chain, Making Indian Dairy Industry Competitive, One Health: How do we
prevent, detect, and manage biological risks, and Diary Tech for the Next
Decade: The Why, What and How?
These key areas for discussion have been identified by the World Economic Forum-India, Indian Vegetable Oil Producers Association (IVPA), Indian Dairy Association, Heifer International, and Society of Aquaculture Professionals.
26-panel discussions, five roundtables, and more than 40 one-on-one meetings between government and industry leaders will be featured in the one-day event. Prominent industry leaders and experts in the agri-food sector in India are attending the event. The event also witnessed major partnerships, investment announcements, beyond the networking and one on one meetings that happened