Food processing sector integrating local producers with Global Markets

Indian Food Processing Sector has already emerged prominently on the global manufacturing map. There has been a constant inflow of new technologies and investments into the sector. As per CII estimates, the sector has the potential to attract $ 33 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the next 10 years. The Food Processing Sector has witnessed the growth rate of nearly 20 percent in the past few years.  The food processing industry forms an important segment of the Indian economy in terms of contribution to GDP, employment and investment, and is a major driver in the country's growth in the near future. This is also one of the focus sectors under Make in India initiative of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.

The inaugural session of the  conference started with the opening remarks of Shri Tarun Sawhney, Chairman, CII Northern Region, Agriculture and Food Processing Committee & Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd., Shri Rajesh Srivastava, Coference Chairman & Chairman & Managing Director Rabo Equity Advisors touched the theme setting of the conference.

Shri Suresh Narayanan, Chairman & Managing Director Nestle India Ltd., giving his keynote address touched the points of Cold Chain and Food Park, then 5 segments of the conference i.e. dairy, fruits and vegetable processing, grain processing, fisheries and consumer forums. The Food Processing Industry is of enormous significance for India`s development because of the vital linkages and synergies that it promotes between the two pillars of the economy, namely Industry and Agriculture. The Food Processing Industry is of enormous significance for India`s development because of the vital linkages and synergies that it promotes between the two pillars of the economy, namely Industry and Agriculture. This sector presents an attractive investment opportunity with the country`s vast consumer base, that continues to grow and its strong food production base.

He also spoke about the 4 key elements of the food processing. The total emphasis was on the consumers. The conference was divided into the four panel discussions starting Investment Opportunities and challenges, Building effective infrastructure and strong supply chain logistics, Integration with value chain of Global Food Industry: Creating Forward-Backward Linkages and Food Processing- The way Forward.

More than 100 delegates including the industry from dairy to consumer products participation including the students of NIFTEM was a lively presentation.

The Key people from the industry who participated in the panel discussion were Shri Yogesh Bellani, CEO, Field Fresh Foods Pvt Ltd., Shri Anik Roy, Marketing Head, Mectech Group, Shri Haresh Karamchandani, CEO, HyFun Foods, Dr Ashutosh Upadhyay, Head Food Science and Technology of NIFTEM, Shri Nitin Puri, Sr President & Global Head Food & Agri Strategic Advisory & Research, Yes Bank Ltd., Shri S Venkatraman of Rabo Equity Advisors, Shri jasmohan Singh, MD, Frick India Ltd., Shri Anjul Manchanda, MD, Arctic Refrigeration Pvt. Ltd., Ms Bhavana Vishwanathof Tolsma Techniek, and Mr Errol Van Groenewoud, COO of Omnivent Techniek BV. Dr Subodh Jindal, President, AIFPA, Ms Neelima Dwivedi, VP Corporate Affairs, India Region, Pepsico India Holdings Pvt Ltd., Shri Srinivas Kuchibhotla of KPMG India, Shri Ravinderjit Singh Baweja, CEO, Agrinnovate India Ltd., and Shri Ravindra Pandey, Business Head of Ananda dairy Food.

Towards the futuristic  aspects of the food processing industry the discussion was with Dr Chindi Vasudevappa, VC, NIFTEM, Dr Ratan Sagar Khanna, Chairman, Kwality Ltd., Dr Sudhanshu, DGM, APEDA, Shri Chirag Gupta, CEO of Zea Maize Pvt., Ltd, and Shri Prasoon Gupta, CEO of Sattviko

The Food Processing Industry is of enormous significance for India`s development because of the vital linkages and synergies that it promotes between the two pillars of the economy, namely Industry and Agriculture. This sector presents an attractive investment opportunity with the country`s vast consumer base, that continues to grow and its strong food production base. However despite the various aspects making this sector attractive certain success factors are crucial in reaping its potential. These include, scale and supply chain efficiency, brand competitiveness and effective marketing, deploying superior technology, product innovation and pricing.