Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) organized an industry interaction with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India at Hyatt Regency. The event highlighted West Bengal’s Food Processing Potential and Preview in World Food India 2024.

Eminent dignitaries gracing the occasion were 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.

Stressing on the Food Processing Sector, Mr. Preet Pal Singh, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, said, ” West Bengal is well known for its thriving agricultural industry, abundant resources, and ideal climate for wide-scale farming. Its supremacy in the seafood industry is demonstrated by the fact that it is the largest producer of rice and fish, and the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, including brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower, and cucumber. Mango types, such as Himsagar and Malda mangoes, and the highly sought-after Darjeeling tea, renowned for its taste and rich history, are the state’s most well-known exports. The World Food India 2024 mega event will showcase the enormous potential of the food processing and related sectors”.

Mr. Prashant Jalan, Member, ICC Executive Committee & MD, Bengal Nestor’s Industries Ltd, expressed his opinions on the Indian food processing industry, highlighting how vital it is to connect farmers with the home market to facilitate a more seamless farm-to-plate process.

After the success of World Food India 2023, the Ministry of Food Processing Industry will be organizing the third edition of World Food India 2024 from 19th to 22nd September at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The key objectives include showcasing innovation-driven solutions, exploring investment opportunities, and promoting sustainability and indigenous production techniques. The event’s focus pillars include plant-based proteins, minimizing waste while maximizing value, sustainable packaging, and ensuring food safety. 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.

The honorable prime minister will formally inaugurate the event. A CIO roundtable with an emphasis on policy issues is planned. Four days of displays will be interspersed with themed information sessions. In addition to additional programs and exhibits, the FSSAI Global Food Regulators Summit will take place on Days 2 and 3 in conjunction with World Food India. Along with B2B and G2G meetings, the Startup Grand Challenge winners will be announced on the fourth day.

Priyanka Dutta