Rameswar Teli, MoS, MoFPI inaugurated the First Virtual Expo 2021 for R&D in the processed food sector. Ministry of Food Processing Industries is organizing Virtual Expo 2021 for R&D in the processed food sector from January 20 to 22, 2021 to highlight the outcomes of R&D projects supported by the Ministry of premier Food Technology Institutions of India.
Teli also launched the R&D portal which will be available to all stakeholders. Research undertaken by institutions across the country will be available on this portal. About 200 research projects are available on the portal.
Teli said, “This R&D portal launch will help in developing product and process technology, better packaging, value addition in the food processing sector.”
He added that for all major processed food products, processing, packaging, storage and distribution system is required so that domestic and international food regulations and benchmarks are followed.
Pushpa Subrahmanyam, Secretary of FPI said that this expo is being organised under the guidance of Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Panchayati Raj.
She said, “MoFPI has been supporting R&D efforts in the sector not only through NIFTEM and IIFPT but also through institutions under ICAR and CSIR systems and agricultural universities.”
Hemant Malik, Chairman of Food Processing Committee of FICCI and CEO, Food Division, ITC gave the welcome address at the event. Mohit Anand, MD, Kellogg India & South Asia and Co-Chair, Food Processing Committee, FICCI presented the vote of thanks.
The Virtual Expo will showcase innovation and R&D in the food processing sector by premier Food Technology Institutions of India such as NIFTE, IIFPT, CFTRI, ICAR, IITs. The key focus areas would be showcasing R&D projects consisting of categories like Novel Food Products, Innovations in Food Engineering, Food Safety & Quality Evaluations, Food Packaging Solutions & Food Industry Waste Utilization. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) is the Event Partner for this Expo.
The Expo is an interactive platform designed to maximize networking efforts via Webinars, B2B meetings, one-to-one chats, informative maternal like-e-brochures, visiting cards or other documents showcased digitally through the virtual booth.