Under the plan scheme for "Promotion of Food Processing Industries", the Ministry provides assistance to Government Departments, Government Undertakings/Organisations, Non-Government Organisations and Industry Associations for organising exhibitions, workshops, seminars, conferences, symposium with the objective of dissemination of information regarding food processing industries, familiarizing the existing and prospective entrepreneurs with modern techniques of production and packaging, development of market and popularization of products,. It also provides assistance for undertaking studies and surveys for assessment of potential for food processing industries on sectoral and regional basis. The scheme also envisages financial assistance for Entrepreneurial Development Programmes (EDP).

International conference organised by CII on emerging technologies in dairy plant

During the year 1998-99, following major exhibitions, workshops, seminars, conferences, studies, entrepreneurial development programmes have been sponsored/assisted by this Ministry.

EXHIBITIONS

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries sponsored the international exposition "Agro-Advantage Maharashtra' 98" organised by Government of Maharashtra, during November 6-9, 98 at Mumbai, to attract investment in the food processing sector.

Seminar organised by NPC on "Quality for leadership-challenge before Indian food processing industries"

The exposition was a show-window for display of the latest technology in the field of agro food sector from all over the world. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries took active part in the exposition. Secretary (FPI) and other senior officers of the Ministry also participated in the convention, which attracted over 800 delegates. On this occasion, definitive interests have been shown by many national and international groups for investment in food processing projects with investment outlay exceeding Rs.2000 crores. The Government of Maharashtra will be taking follow up action in this regard.

The Ministry sponsored the International Food Convention (IFCON' 98) organised by Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India), at CFTRI, Mysore during November 24-27, 1998 to bring on a common platform the captains of food industry, research scientists and technologists from universities and premier research institutions and other food professionals to debate and deliberate upon the emerging issues confronting the country in the face of liberalisation and globalisation of market economies. Secretary (FPI) and other senior officers of the Ministry also attended the convention. Secretary (FPI) presided over the inauguration & opening of Food Expo' 98. He also made a a presentation on "Globalisation of Indian Food Industry -Problems & Perspective". The event was attended by a large number of national and international scientists and technologists.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries participated in the exhibition "Agro-Tech' 98" organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Northern Region, at Chandigarh from December 2-6, 1998. The exhibition provided opportunities for interaction and transaction of business to visitors including high-power delegation from SAARC nations. Secretary (FPI) and other senior officers of the Ministry also attended the exhibition. Secretary (FPI) inaugurated the International Conference on Fruit & Vegetable Processing which was held on December 2, 1998. This Ministry provided financial assistance for the event.

The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry Guwahati Chapter, organised an exhibition and a seminar "Expo-North East' 98" at Guwahati from 5-15 December, 1998. NERAMAC, a public sector undertaking under the administrative control of this Ministry, participated in the above event on behalf of the Ministry. The Ministry provided financial assistance for holding this exhibition and seminar on food processing.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries participated in an exhibition on India's Vision for Future and Achievements of the past 50 years, organised at National Stadium, New Delhi from 5-15th August, 1998. A 30 minute audio visual display, highlighting India's achievements in science and technology over the last 50 years was also shown in the Central Hall of the Parliament House on 15th August, 1998 by the Department of Science & Technology.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries participated in the Industrial Exhibition organised by Indian Industries Association, which is the APEX body of Small Industries in the State of Uttar Pradesh, at Muzaffarnagar from 4-5th October, 1998. The exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Sompal, Minister of State for Agriculture.

SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

The Ministry assisted the Centre for Processed Food, Bangalore in organising an international seminar on 'Modified Atmosphere Packaging & Controlled Atmosphere Storage, during April 27-28, 1998 at Bangalore.

This Ministry participated in a "workshop on Packaging of Wheat Flours" organised by the Roller Flour Mills Federation of India at New Delhi on June 19, 1998 to help the manufacturers to improve the packaging methods and explore world market for their products. The workshop was inaugurated by Secretary (FPI).

Annual conference of All India Food Processor' Association

The World Association for Small & Medium Enterprises, New Delhi in collaboration with National Research Development Corporation organised the Asia-China Technology & Economic Cooperation Expo' 98 (SATAX' 98) at New Delhi from 27-30 July, 1998 to promote technological trade & economic cooperation between India and other countries in South Asian Region in FPI & other selected industrial sector. Secretary (FPI) delivered a key note address at the convention. The Ministry also provided financial assistance to the event.

A national seminar on Problems of Small & Marginal Farmers in Marketing of Fruits and Vegetables was organised by the Farmers Education & Welfare Society at New Delhi on the 20th & 21st August 1998. The Ministry provided assistance for holding of this seminar.

The Ministry sponsored a national conference on " The Future of Processed Fruit And Vegetable Industry-Summit' 98" hosted by the India Export & Economic Foundation in coordination with All India Food Preservers' Association at Bangalore on August 21-22, 1998. The objective of the conference was dissemination of information amongst the exporters, entrepreneurs, consultants, technologists, statutory authorities and policy makers to build a strong interface between agriculture and industry and to highlight the problems and prospects of exporting processed fruits and vegetables.

ILSI-INDIA, New Delhi, organised a workshop on Science Based Approaches to Harmonisation of Regulatory Food Quality and Safety Measures in SAARC Region to provide scientific inputs for harmonisation of food regulations within member countries of SAARC. The Workshop was inaugurated by Secretary (FPI).

Workshop organised by ILSI-India on micronutrients fortification of food

The Department of Business Economics, University of Delhi organised an industrial seminar on 27 October 1998 to promote the study of food processing industries in India in regard to technology, marketing and supply chains, foreign participation etc.

The Ministry provided assistance to Confederation of Indian Food Trade & Industry, New Delhi to organise "Food Processing Summit' 98" on 14th November 1998 at New Delhi on "Challenges of Globalisation, Time for Introspection". The seminar was inaugurated by Secretary (FPI).

A one-day seminar on "Potential of Food Processing Industries in North-East with Special reference to Tripura" was held on 16th November 1998 in Agartala. The seminar was organised by the Government of Tripura at the initiative of this Ministry. It was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Tripura and was attended by Ministers of the Government of Tripura, Members of Parliament, Secretary (FPI) and other senior officers of this Ministry besides representatives of CFTRI, NERAMAC and a large number of entrepreneurs. The seminar was very useful in highlighting the potential of food processing industries in Tripura. Financial assistance was provided for organisation of the seminar.

ILSI-INDIA and Micro-nutrient Initiative, South Asian Regional Offices have organised a national conference on 'Micro-nutrient Fortification of Food' at Jaipur from 8-9 Feb.' 99 against the background of high incidence of malnutrition in the country particularly resulting from vitamin A, iodine and iron deficiencies. The conference was attended by experts from India and abroad to discuss important issues relating to micro-nutrient fortification of food and safety, regulatory & educational advocacy aspects of food fortification programme in India.

The National Productivity Council, New Delhi is organised a national seminar on "Quality for Leadership-challenges for Indian Food Industry" during February, 1999. The proposed seminar will be very useful for food processing industries in India. This Ministry sponsored this seminar.

STUDIES

This Ministry has entrusted the National Research Development Corporation to conduct a pre-feasibility study for setting up an integrated coconut processing complex in Andaman & Nicobar Islands at a cost of Rs.5.00 lakhs. This Ministry has taken initiative to develop coconut processing facilities in these Islands.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has given, in principle, approval to support APEDA's proposal to undertake a techno-feasibility study on cold chain linkages in three States. This study is being done by ATO-DLO, a research organisation under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Netherlands. The techno-feasibility exercise in respective states will evolve a strategy for designing a supply chain grid leading to a pilot project for a few specific commodities for ensuring reduction in post-harvest losses and wastage. The study would be an attempt to strike a balance between supply, distribution, storage and demand. The financial implications are being worked out by APEDA.

The Ministry has sponsored a study by the North-Easter Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation Ltd. (NEITCO), Guwahati on Integrated Master Plan for food processing industry in the North-Eastern region and also the role of NERAMAC in this context. The study would focus on the strategy for developing the food processing sector in the region after taking into account the availability of raw material, existing infrastructure and consumer demand. This will also bring out the role which needs to be played by North-Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd. (NERAMAC).

ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Uttar Pradesh Consultants Limited, Kanpur will be organising two Entrepreneurial Development Programmes in Food Processing Industries at Pratapgarh and Allahabad on the subject of Aonwla processing and guava processing respectively. This programme will help in generating self-employment/ entrepreneurship in the State. This Ministry is providing financial assistance for the two events.

Haryana-Delhi Industrial Consultancy Limited, New Delhi will conduct an Entrepreneurial Development Programme in food processing industries in March, 1999 to identify the prospective entrepreneurs as well as potential investment opportunities. The programme will help in setting up of small units by the prospective entrepreneurs. This Ministry is providing financial assistance for this purpose.

PROMOTIONAL INTERACTIONS

The Ministry participated in the International Green Week Fair (IGW) 1998 held in Germany in the month of January 1998. The IGW Fair is a major consumer fair of Europe for food products and is held every year in Germany for the last six decades. The Ministry's participation this time was at a scale larger than that of the previous year, with Agricultural Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in association with this Ministry having put up a stall for all the 10 days of the fair.

A representative of the Ministry participated as a member in the Promotion Mission led by a senior officer of the Ministry of Industry, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, which visited France from 20th to 26th September, 1998. This was in connection with a one day event called "Indo-French Investment Forum" being organised by that Ministry in New Delhi to make a sectoral representation to some of the French medium-sized companies followed by one-to-one meetings. Food processing including packaging is one of the thrust areas selected for the event.

Indo-Italian Joint Working Group on Food Processing was constituted in 1998 by the Ministry under the co-chairmanship of Joint Secretary in charge of International Cooperation Division in the Ministry from Indian side and Dr. Pasquale D' Acunzi, President of ANICAV and Vice-President of Federalimentare (Italian Food Federation) from the Italian side. This Ministry, being the nodal Ministry also provides secretariat to the Working Group. The first session of the Working Group was held in Rome on 15th and 16th December, 1998. The two delegations agreed upon various projects for cooperation.

The Ministry also participated in various Joint Commissions'/Joint Working Groups' meetings and other important inter-ministerial meetings held in connection therewith, and also interacted with various foreign delegations from Germany, Philippines, Vietnam, France, Poland, Belarus, Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Greece, Italy and Russia.