On the second day, Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, visited the AIAMA Expo 2022 and addressed the audience, expressing the government's support for the association in elevating the industry in any way possible.
The event drew 6500 visitors and delegates from across the country and a few from abroad. It was announced that the Legal Metrology changes for the industry sector will take effect on December 1st, 2022, and this was communicated to the delegates to raise awareness. Perfumery sessions focused on Agarbathi's future fragrance preferences. With audio-visual presentations and interactive sessions, the marketing sessions provided a good perspective. During the three-day AIAMA Expo, business opportunities were planted. During the event, new technological advancements were discussed.
"AIAMA Expo 2022 is a great initiative towards the upliftment of the industry, and I am delighted to be attending such a significant event," Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, said during her visit to the Expo. I'd also like to thank AIAMA for hosting the Expo & Conference in the city's heart."
It is expected that the industry, which is predominantly labour intensive, will generate more jobs in the future. It leads to significant women's empowerment, particularly in the rural sector, with the potential to completely transform the rural economy. "Our government will always support businesses and initiatives to empower women in our country," Shobha Karandlaje added.
AIAMA Expo 2022 had the theme 'Traditionally Modern,' representing the integration of Indian traditions with modern technology and innovations. Today's technology has evolved significantly. Mechanization has occurred since the days of hand-rolled agarbathies, which were the heritage. The product has a high export potential because it reflects our country's heritage and traditions, thus contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Atma Nirbhar Bharath initiative.
"It's a wonderful three days of expo and conference," said Arjun Ranga, President of AIAMA, during the Valedictory function. I want to thank everyone on the AIAMA managing committee and the entire fraternity for their unwavering support for the Agarbathi expo."
"This is just the beginning; going forward, we will have more proactive initiatives and knowledge series," Arjun added, giving a sense of what to expect. We will have more frequent interactions with the government. We intend to hold this expo at least once every three years."
"The seeds of agarbathi and perfumery were sown in the princely era," said Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Maharaja of Mysore. "Thank you for honouring the heritage by inviting me here as its representative. Mysuru has the most GI tags among the 250 listed in the country. Mysuru Agarbathi is the Mysuru identity's torchbearer. It is a source of great pride for all of us here that the GI tag of Mysuru will continue to honour that tradition for many years to come," he added.
AIAMA Expo & Conference featured curated speaker sessions and panel discussions on a wide range of topics, including the future of Indian retail, packaging innovations and the future of duplex & corrugation, fragrance trends in India, and more. The three-day expo and conference also featured various cultural events, musical bands, and traditional Karnataka art forms. The exhibits included the origin of agarbathi and essential milestones in the Agarbathi industry, highlighted with exhibits such as iconic photographs and one-of-a-kind agarbathi samples.
AIAMA, founded in 1949, is the apex body dedicated to advancing the agarbathi industry. AIAMA, which has over 800 active members from all over India, assists the industry in acting in unison on all matters concerning the industry's future. MOMA was renamed All India Agarbathi Manufacturers' Association in 1980 to reflect its growing national significance. AIAMA has grown in size, with approximately 600 members across India.
