"Investment opportunities in the food processing sector Importance of Bio-Technology for growth of Agribusiness in India Knowledge Banking initiatives and key strategies for actualizing the second white revolution in the country"

1. Report on
International Conference
On “Food Processing, Agribusiness & Dairy”
Investment & Business Opportunities
Date: 26th September, 2013 Venue: The Pride Hotel, Ahmedabad
Organized by Knowledge Partner Supported By
State Partner

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No. of speakers 9 Domestic 7
International
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The conference was attended by dignitaries such as:
Ms. Bhagyesh Soneji
Chairperson ASSOCHAM Gujarat Council & CMD Ameda Pharma & Proprietress, Elegant India
Mr. Farid Nabi
Executive Director, Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development Finance – CARD-F of Afghanistan
Shri Panchanan Dash, IAS
Principal Secretary, MSME Department: Government of Odisha
Shri Raj Kumar, IAS
Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Cooperation Department, Government of Gujarat
Dr. A.J. Kachhiyapatel
Director of Animal Husbandry, Government of Gujarat
Dr. H.G. Koshia,
Commissioner, Food Safety, Gujarat
Dr. Vinod Vidhyarthi
AGM, NABARD
Food Processing is a large sector that covers activities such as agriculture, horticulture, plantation, animal husbandry and fisheries. The food processing market is currently estimated to be around INR 545, 000 Crore and is estimated to reach INR 873, 000 Crore by 2014-15. While the industry is large in terms of production, consumption and export, it is still at a very nascent stage in terms of development. Out of the country’s total agriculture and food produce, only 2% is processed (wherein most of the Western countries it is 60%).
This International Summit cum Exhibition organized by ASSOCHAM provided a forum for discussion on various agenda’s like investment opportunities in the food processing sector, strengthening trade linkages, key policy initiatives taken by Governments to attract investment in the processed food, agro and dairy market, Regulatory and Policy issues, issues pertaining to quality standards and pricing mechanisms among many others. This event also provided an opportunity for participating companies to exhibit their latest research and developments and products in the market.

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Inaugural Session
In her welcome address Ms. Bhagyesh Soneji (Chairperson ASSOCHAM Gujarat Council & CMD Ameda Pharma & Proprietress, Elegant India) highlighted the significance of the food processing, agro and dairy sector in country’s GDP and overall economy of the country. She told that the primary processed food products have witnessed sales of around INR 2790 Billion in 2011 which is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 8.1%. She highlighted India’s dominance in agro and dairy produce in world. India is the 2nd largest producer of fruits and vegetables and nearly accounts for around 11% and 9 % of the global production respectively. She also spoke about the crucial role MSME’s play in the food processing and dairy industry and their significance for an inclusive growth of small and marginalized farmers. She stressed upon resolving issues like food wastage which accounts for nearly INR 2 Lac Cr every year and increasing the shelf life of agro & dairy products.
Mr. Farid Nabi (Executive Director, Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development Finance – CARD-F of Afghanistan) shared his views on how Afghanistan has developed and progressed after the end of the Taliban regime. He spoke about the development that has taken place in Infrastructure & Telecom sectors with Afghanistan having around 8000 kms of paved roads and around 20 million mobile phone users with network coverage of around 80 % of the entire country. He told that Agriculture and Mining are the two most prioritized sectors for the Afghan government. Agriculture remains to be the most important source of livelihood with about 70% of the population depending on it. He also highlighted the age old trade links that India and Afghanistan have been sharing. Most of the agriculture machineries in Afghanistan are sourced from India while Afghanistan exports dry fruits to India.

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Shri Panchanan Dash, IAS (Principal Secretary, MSME Department: Government of Odisha) highlighted the importance of sustainable development and the rampant degradation of our natural resources. He explained about the concept of green gross domestic product (green GDP) which is an index of economic growth with the environmental consequences of that growth factored into a country's conventional GDP. Green GDP monetizes the loss of biodiversity, and accounts for costs caused by climate change. He cited China’s example that how in 2004 it adopted the green GDP index which replaced the Chinese GDP index itself as a performance measure for government and party officials at the highest levels. He appreciated the role of MSME’s for inclusive growth, eradication of poverty and bringing innovative ideas and said that the MSME sector contributes almost 74% in the rural development front. He highlighted the key policy initiatives taken by the Odisha Government. for promoting investments in the state including the Odisha Food Processing Policy -2013 specifically for the processing sector.
Shri Raj Kumar, IAS (Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Cooperation Department: Government of Gujarat), the Chief Guest for the event, said how Gujarat has taken various initiatives to aid the development of the agriculture sector in the state. He highlighted that agriculture sector continues to be an important sector for India with around 50% population depending on it for their livelihood. Some of the initiatives taken by Government of Gujarat for the agriculture sector are providing financial support to the farmers for upgradation of machinery, interest subvention, and stamp duty exemption for

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Mega Food parks. Mr. Kumar also talked about challenges faced by the agriculture sector, the major being fragmented land holding pattern. Many small and marginalized farmers in India have no large farm holdings for cultivation with average land holding around 1.5 hectare only. Aggregation, quality and marketing of farm produce remains other big challenges. He also said that the farmers are currently not getting sustainable price for their farm produce which is a deterring factor for attracting investors in the agri sector as the risk is quite high. He also spoke about the APMC Act which requires investors to seek licenses to become a member of the marketing committee which is responsible for selling the farm produce in the country.
The inaugural session was followed by releasing of a Research Report jointly prepared by ASSOCHAM & Frontier Growth Advisors and an award ceremony.
In his vote of thanks, Shri Jay Ruparel (Co Chairperson, ASSOCHAM Gujarat Council & Co- founder & CEO, Azure Knowledge Corporation) acknowledged the speakers for sharing key insights on the food processing and dairy industry. He said that though there are challenges facing the food processing sector it offers great potential for growth. According to him India needs to invest a lot in research on improving the productivity per hectare and making a sustainable and inclusive agri growth. He thanked Mr. Farid Nabi for coming and hoped for more and better trade links between India & Afghanistan. He extended his thanks to all the sponsorer’s and delegates for making this event successful.
Technical Presentations
1. Dr. A.J. Kachhiyapatel, Director of Animal Husbandry, Government of Gujarat presented on Government Initiatives for Livestock development and various investment opportunities in the animal husbandry sector.
2. Shri Panchanan Dash, IAS, Principal Secretary MSME Department, Government. of Odisha presented on the advantages of setting up food processing industry in Odisha, various policy initiatives taken and schematic support provided by Government for investing in Odisha.
3. Mr. Alieu Bah, Representative from Gambia presented on the various Investment and Business opportunities in Gambia, various investment incentives given and the key initiatives taken by Government of Gambia to address the challenges faced by investors in Gambia.

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4. Mr. Job Glas, Representative from Netherlands in his presentation highlighted the various Investment and Business opportunities that Netherlands provides in agro processing sector.
5. Mr. Kumar Gaurav, VP, Food and Agribusiness Research Management (FARM) Group, YES BANK presented on Knowledge Banking initiatives and provided insights into key strategies for actualizing the second white revolution in the country.
6. Dr. H.G. Koshia, Commissioner, Food Safety, Gujarat presented on the Food Quality scenario in Gujarat and also highlighted the various steps taken for improving the hygiene of street vendors and curbing the adulteration in food articles.
7. Mr. Udai Kumar Saxena, Expert, Quality Council of India spoke about the existing regulatory framework and various rules that govern the Food Quality standards in India.
8. Dr. Vinod Vidhyarthi, AGM, NABARD presented on the role played by NABARD for agriculture and rural development in the country.
9. Dr. A.N. Bhadalkar, Sector Specialist (Industries), GSBTM, Government of Gujarat presented on the importance of Bio-Technology for growth of Agribusiness in India and other major initiative like Bio Technopreneur Camps which give students an opportunity to develop business in biotechnology.
Major Topics covered
1. Investment opportunities in the food processing sector
2. Importance of Bio-Technology for growth of Agribusiness in India
3. Knowledge Banking initiatives and key strategies for actualizing the second white revolution in the country
4. Need for strengthening trade linkages
5. Key policy initiatives taken by Governments to attract investment in the processed food, agro and dairy market
6. Regulatory and Policy issues and issues pertaining to quality standards and pricing mechanisms
7. Steps taken for improving the hygiene of street vendors and curbing the adulteration in food articles
Way Forward
1. There is a need for a more exhaustive and coherent policy
2. India needs to invest in R&D on improving the productivity per hectare in order to have a more sustainable and inclusive agri growth
3. There is an urgent need to solve issues like food wastage and also on ways to improve the shelf life of agro & dairy products