Focused on demonstrating a new shape of the food and food technology sector, the 17th edition of ANUTEC – International FoodTec India, co-located with ANUFOOD India and PackEx India was held from 7 to 9 September at the Bombay Exhibition Center, Mumbai.
Dignitaries and industry leaders, including Mercy Epao, joint secretary (SME), ministry of MSME, government of India, J.P. Dongre, deputy agricultural marketing advisor, ministry of food processing industries (MOFPI); Oliver Frese, COO, Koelnmesse GmbH, Milind Dixit – managing director, Koelnmesse India attended the event.
The presidents of the Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (AFSTI), N Bhaskar, and All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA), Raghav Jadli, contributed with their insightful opinions. Specialized pavilions from Brazil, the Philippines, Turkey, Indonesia, Korea, Italy, and Iran ushered in a new era of development and innovation.
The key exhibitors of the event included Heat and Control, Ace Technologies, Apollo VTS India, Siemens, Bossar Packaging India, Nichrome India . Gopal Snacks, Shubham Goldiee Masala, Pushp Brand, Tata Consumer Products, Amar Tea, Haldiram Snacks, among others. Supported by industry stakeholders and associations like AIFPA, IFCA, FFFAI, SIB, and AFSTI, these events boost and facilitate the sector.
In his inaugural address, Prahlad Singh Patel, MOS, Union ministry of food processing industries, said, “Today’s exhibition is the representation of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ that reflects the distinctive power of our market and the technological innovation that underpins India’s development. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme are three pivotal programs actively championed by our Ministry. These initiatives raise our industry to meet global quality and safety standards, benefiting the entire food processing value chain. The government of India has allocated Rs. 4600 crore to sustain PMKSY, and recently, the allocation of an additional Rs. 920 crore to PMKSY, reaffirms its commitment to sector growth and development. Our government always stands ready to support technological advancements and competitiveness whenever the need arises.”
Mercy Epao, joint secretary (SME), Union ministry of micro, small & medium enterprises, said MSMEs play a significant role in the Indian economy, providing over 30% of the GDP, almost 50% of exports, and 45% of industrial output. The ministry, Epao said, runs around 20 specialized programs, one of which reclassifies MSMEs in accordance with investment. Their goal is to achieve at least 50% female presence in MSMEs by 2047, making them India’s top employers. “There are ongoing programs like a registration push for female entrepreneurs and improved subsidies for women-owned firms. The ministry’s “Zero Effect, Zero Defect (Z) scheme” encourages environmental sustainability while assisting first-time exporters. A 50,000 crore Self-Reliant India Fund has also been formed to aid MSMEs in diversifying. Even in the face of Covid-19 problems, reducing regional inequities and promoting resilience remain major priorities. The Ministry of MSME is dedicated to empowering small businesses and assisting MSMEs in the fast-paced business environment of India.”
Jitendra Dongare, Deputy AMA, Union ministry of Food Processing Industries said there are specific schemes tailored for every category of industry, be it micro-entrepreneurs, MSMEs, or large industries, aimed at bolstering the food processing sector. “With programs such as the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Microentrepreneurs TMMM scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna for MSMEs, and the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for major businesses, India is positioned to become a hub for the world’s food supply. There is a great deal of opportunity for multinational firms to see India as the go-to location for food processing and exports on a global scale since we have access to an abundance of raw materials and undeveloped processing capacity,” said Jitendra Dongare, Deputy AMA, Union ministry of food processing industries.”
Speaking on the occasion, Milind Dixit, managing director, Koelnmesse India said, “The government’s initiatives, such as the creation of Mega Food Parks, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, and the recent Rs10,900 Crore PLI scheme for food processing, became the cornerstone for a robust food processing infrastructure and supply chain in India. ANUTEC – International FoodTec India and ANUFOOD India 2023 emerge as the very crucibles of potential within India’s culinary landscape These exhibitions collectively serve as centers for innovation, collaboration, and exploration, propelling India to new heights in the global food processing arena and promising a brighter future for the industry.”
India’s emerging food processing sector, set to generate nine million jobs by 2024 and attract US$ 4.18 billion in foreign direct investments (2014-2020), is poised for significant growth. By 2030, India’s household consumption will quadruple, making it the world’s fifth-largest consumer of food and food technology. The sector significantly contributes to India’s economy, accounting for 13% of exports and 6% of industrial investment. With a market size of US$ 1.3 billion, the thriving Indian gourmet food sector sustains an impressive 20% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). These trends underscore the significance of ANUTEC – International FoodTec India and ANUFOOD India.
Alongside the display of the latest technologies at the three-day exhibition, the ANUFOOD 2023 conference covered topics including ‘Innovations in Texture, Taste Consistency for Plant-Based Products’, and ‘The Role of Plant Protein Clusters in Providing Solutions and Advancements’.
The key speakers for the session were Jasmine Bharucha, founder at Katharos Foods, Pradeep Rao, Co-Founder and CEO at Evolved Foods, and CS Jadhav, CEO, Nutri Circle among others. Additional forums such as the Packaging Theatre, Culinary Corner, and Innovative Trend Zone further enriched visitors’ experiences.
Another key highlight was the power-packed conference session on the theme ‘Empowering FoodPreneurship: The Startup School – Nurturing Success for Aspiring Entrepreneurs’ with speakers such as Nilesh Lele, president Chamber for Advancement of Small & Medium Businesses, Prashant Naigaonkar, Startup Mentor and Partner at RampUp Advisory LLP, Vaidehi Kalzunkar, deputy director FSSAI, and more.
