AFTPAI organised Inaugural Function & seminar on ‘Opportunities & Challenges in Agro & Food Processing India 2011’

 

·         Mr Harish Rawat, the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, was the Chief Guest.

New Delhi March 17, 2011: Agro & Food Processing Equipment & Technology Providers Association of India (AFTPAI), An Association of Allied Sectors of Agro & Food Industry in India, organised a seminar on Opportunities & Challenges in Agro & Food Processing India 2011 at Hotel Intercontinental Eros, Nehru Place, New Delhi. Also, AFTPAI conducted its Inaugural ceremony on the same day. Mr Harish Rawat, the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, was the Chief Guest for the event.

AFTPAI had two sessions of informative seminar with inaugural function. The Seminar - Opportunities & Challenges in Agro & Food Processing India 2011 was a brain storming session that provided innovative ideas to the food processing Industry and the proficiency met all challenges in an effective manner.

In his message Mr. Harish Rawat, Minister of State, Agriculture & Food Processing Industries, Government of India, said, “I am happy to note that an association named, Agro & Food Processing Technology & Equipment Providers Association (AFTPAI) has been formed with a view to work in the allied sectors of the food processing industry and they are organizing its inaugural ceremony cum international seminar. Government has declared food processing industries as a priority sector and has introduced a number of policy measures and Government is committed to faster growth of this sector.”

Mr. Rawat added, “To create an enabling environment for rationalizing the procedures for sustained growth of the food processing industries in the country, the government has prepared a document namely Vision Document 2015.”

Mr. Rawat said, “I hope that the formation of AFTPAI will boost the Government’s endeavor to sustainable growth of the sector. I am sure that the deliberations during the seminar would prove beneficial to all stakeholders of food sector.” 

Mr Sanjeev Gupta, President AFTPAI, informed, processed food market is the most important segment of the food industry, making it very dependent on technology and new developments. The need for high volumes, high productivity and high quality has led to an increasing demand for automation in the food industry, especially with the Indian food processing companies looking to export their products.

Mr Gupta added, “In this process Agro & Food Processing Equipment & Technology Providers Association of India (AFTPAI) was formed in 2009, to represent entire allied sectors of the food processing industry in India.  Majority of members belongs to food processing & packaging machinery, suppliers, manufacturers and technology providers. It also has members from packaging material, food ingredients, cold chain, automation and other related sectors.”

 Firoz H Naqvi, Secretary AFTPAI said, “However during some of the discussions in small groups it was felt that there is a need for a common forum for discussing the various issues relating to our industry and also to interact with the Governmental authorities and other related agencies to further the cause of the food processing industry and its players.”

India is the second largest producer of food in the world next only to China and has the potential for development of a very large food processing industry.  The Indian food industry is estimated to be worth US $ 200 Billion and expected to grow to US $ 310 Billion by 2015.

 

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Oct 10, 2010-Food industry has wastage of nearly seven billion USD every year-AFTPAI