The fifth essay of Food Processing, Agribusiness and Dairy (FAD) – a day-long global summit-cum-exhibition organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) – is slated to take place on September 12, 2013 at Hotel Cambay Grand, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
“The Indian food industry plays an important role in the national economy. In today’s global market, quality and food safety have become competitive edge for the enterprises producing foods and providing services,” Assocham stated on the official webpage for FAD 2013.
“With proper investments in food processing, technical innovations and infrastructure for the agriculture sector, India could well become the food basket of the world. The existing level of processing and the extent of value addition are very low as compared to other developing countries,” it added.
Nakul P Lakhe, regional director, Gujarat, Assocham, said, “India's dairy processing industry would be promoted this year. The dairy industry in the country is one of the world's largest in terms of production, consumption, and export. We expect over 250 national and international decision-makers to participate in the event.”
Conference
One of the highlights of the event, which aims to bring all stakeholders – including exporters, biotechnologists, technology innovators and experts in the food processing sector – together under one roof, is a conference titled, “The Food Processing Industry – Innovation and Application.”
Assocham said, “The objective of the conference is to provide a platform for new entrants in the rapidly-growing food processing sector to take advantage of the opportunities in the sector and ideas for organisations that are already a step ahead in this very important and innovative approach.”
“This conference will synergise collaborative efforts among the stakeholders, including technologies, technocrats, exporters and experts in this sector to deliberate on the issues for developing greater linkages to national and international markets, and together we discuss the important issues in this sunrise industry at large,” it added.
Objectives
“Our objective behind organising FAD 2013 is to create innovation networks in the food processing industry which could help stimulate fresh market linkages. Further, we also aim at developing an appreciation of research and development (R&D) in food processing,” Lakhe said.
FAD 2013 will act as a platform for sharing technologies and services towars increasing agricultural efficiency to meet food security challenges, and emphasis will be laid on innovative business models in fostering public-private partnerships (PPP) and investments in agriculture.
Common areas and priorities will be sought at the expo for collaboration to strengthen partnerships, a consensus will be reached on planned actions to address sustainable developmental issues, and strategies will be discussed for achieving sustainable growth as predicted by the policy-makers.
Why Ahmedabad?
FAD, which is taking place in Ahmedabad for the first time, will also feature an international exhibition, country partnership discussions, focussed partner state sessions and state policy initiatives. New Delhi hosted the previous editions. Lakhe said the western state's rapid development and opportunities prompted the shift.
“Soon, four mega food parks are likely to be set up in Gujarat state under the Mega Food Park Scheme launched by the Centre,” he informed, adding that the Indian and foreign players are looking forward to making the most of the opportunity and set up their businesses in Gujarat.
