SUFALAM 2024: Nurturing Food Processing Startups for a Sustainable Future

Union Minister of Food Processing Pashupati Kumar Paras underscores the vital role of startups in the food processing sector, marking the inauguration of ‘SUFALAM: Start-Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors Startup Conclave 2024.’ He highlighted the significance of such events, emphasizing their capacity to enhance networking, facilitate knowledge exchange, and enable startups to capitalize on various government schemes. Paras reaffirms the government's unwavering commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and cultivating an enabling environment for startups, thereby empowering aspiring entrepreneurs in the food processing domain.

Driving Growth and Innovation: Insights from Key Speakers

Minister of State for Food Processing Shobha Karandlaje delves into crucial aspects concerning the supply chain and food processing sector in her special address. She underscores its potential in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers' income and positioning India prominently on the global stage through increased exports, innovation, and meeting global food demands.

Anita Praveen, Secretary MoFPI, emphasizes the imperative of registering all micro-entrepreneurs, self-help groups (SHGs), and MSMEs on the Start-Up India Portal. She elaborates on the extensive opportunities for processing and value addition of agricultural produce, leveraging India's status as the largest producer of agri-produce. Furthermore, she elucidates on various schemes of MoFPI aimed at supporting and guiding startups to ensure their success and contribute towards realizing the PM’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

SUFALAM as a Pivotal Platform

Minhaj Alam, Additional Secretary of MoFPI, and Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director of NIFTEM-K, grace the occasion, endorsing ‘SUFALAM’ as a pivotal platform aimed at catalyzing innovation, fostering collaboration, and driving growth within the food processing industry.

The event witnesses active participation from over 250 industry stakeholders, startups, MSMEs, financial institutions, venture capitalists, and academia. Spanning two days, it comprises four knowledge sessions, two pitching sessions, and an exhibition. The knowledge sessions, held in collaboration with FSSAI, EIC, APEDA, Start-up India, and FICCI, aim to disseminate crucial insights.

The pitching sessions, conducted in partnership with industry giants such as Nestle India, HDFC Bank, Buhler India, Marico, Indian Angel Network, ITC Foods, LT Foods, and TCPL, offer startups a platform to showcase their ideas. A total of 35 exhibitors from across India are participating, further enriching the exchange of ideas and fostering collaboration.

The Startup Conclave for Food Processing Entrepreneurs holds the promise of being a transformative event, propelling the sector towards a future characterized by innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. As startups converge to showcase their ingenuity and vision, the conclave stands as a beacon of hope, inspiring the next generation of food processing leaders to redefine the boundaries of possibility.

आज SUFALAM 2024 के आयोजन के दौरान केंद्रीय मंत्री श्री पशुपति कुमार पारस ने अपने सम्बोधन में कहा कि 'भारत का फूड प्रोसेसिंग क्षेत्र दुनिया के सबसे बड़े क्षेत्रों में से एक है, पिछले पाँच वर्षों में बाज़ार के आकार और राजस्व में अभूतपूर्व वृद्धि हुई है'#StartupIndia pic.twitter.com/gyzGAOGBcy
— FOOD PROCESSING MIN (@MOFPI_GOI) February 13, 2024