Industry leaders, academicians, investors, and budding entrepreneurs gathered for panel discussions, live startup pitches and to share new ideas at the second edition of SUFALAM 2025, a two-day start-up forum for aspiring leaders and mentors in the food processing sector, conducted by the Ministry of food processing industries (MoFPI) in collaboration with NIFTEM-Kundli.
The two-day conclave was a pivotal initiative aimed at strengthening India’s food processing sector through innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.
The event was inaugurated by Union minister for food processing industries Chirag Paswan, who underscored the need to empower the youth and position India as a global leader in food innovation.
“There is no dearth of talent in India—what we need is to harness it better by equipping our youth with the right skill sets. The food processing sector holds endless opportunities, and with focused innovation, we can not only meet our own needs but also establish India as a global food basket. This journey of innovation and capacity-building will not only strengthen our economy but also create vast employment opportunities across the country. The Ministry is committed to enhancing India’s food processing capacity, empowering farmers, and supporting the industry at every step,” he stated.
Subrata Gupta, secretary, Ministry of food processing industries, emphasized the importance of improving food productivity while minimizing wastage.
“With rising food demands and limited land, the challenge before us is not just to feed a growing population, but to do so sustainably and efficiently. The ministry is actively supporting the industry through a slew of measures, focusing on increasing production, reducing wastage, and building robust infrastructure. To move the food industry forward, we must empower our youth with the right skills and develop cutting-edge technologies. The ministry remains fully committed to enabling this transformation and ensuring a resilient, future-ready food ecosystem,” he said.
Harinder Singh Oberoi, director, NIFTEM-K, highlighted the institute’s growing role in bridging academia and industry.
“True success in any industry lies in the seamless collaboration between academia and industry. At NIFTEM, with the ministry’s support, we empowering students to create jobs. By bridging the talent gap in the food sector and fostering entrepreneurship through collective action, we are shaping the future of India’s food ecosystem,” he said.
The inaugural day witnessed a convergence of industry leaders, academicians, investors, and budding entrepreneurs for meaningful knowledge exchange and inspiration. Experience-sharing sessions offered valuable insights into the journeys of emerging startups, while expert-led discussions focused on themes such as sustainable growth, branding, digital outreach, and policy incentives.
A keynote address by Harpal Singh of IIT Delhi inspired the audience with key learnings from his entrepreneurial journey. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, vice chancellor of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), shared expert insights on global trade dynamics and food entrepreneurship.
More than 250 startups from 23 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, participated in the event. Innovations showcased ranged from cell-cultured meat and plant-based food products to functional foods and rapid detection kits, each contributing to a safer and more robust food ecosystem.
A total of 35 startups registered to pitch their ideas before industry evaluators from organizations such as Nestlé, Bühler Group, Eureka Analytical Systems and the Indian Angel Network.
In addition to formal sessions, SUFALAM 2025 featured a dedicated Mentor Lounge, extensive networking opportunities, and an exhibition area showcasing innovations by MSMEs and startups.
With over 300 participants and 65 exhibitors from 20 states, SUFALAM 2025 reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship, driving innovation, and accelerating the growth of India’s food processing industry.
The conclave also featured engaging sessions featuring emerging entrepreneurs, expert panel discussions, and live startup pitches.
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An English-language food and beverage processing and packaging industry B2B platform in print and web, IndiFoodBev is in its third year of publication. It is said that the Indian food and beverage industries represent approximately US$ 900 billion in revenues which implies more than 20% of the country’s GDP. Eliminating the wastage on the farmside can help to deliver more protein to a higher number of the population apart from generating sizable exports. The savings in soil, seeds, water, fertilizer, energy and ultimately food and nutrition could be the most immense contribution that country is poised to make to the moderation of climate change.
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Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
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