PM inaugurates 'World Food India 2023' program at Bharat Mandapam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second edition of 'World Food India 2023' at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 3 November 2023. Under this programme, the Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the ‘Food Street’.

• The second edition of 'World Food India 2023' is being organized from 3 to 5 November 2023, after which the program will be concluded by President Draupadi Murmu.

Representatives from 80 countries participated:

• This 'World Food India 2023' event is hosting participants from more than 80 countries, including CEOs of leading food processing companies.
• Also, more than 1200 foreign buyers from more than 80 countries are coming.

Facility of Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet:

• Along with this, a reverse buyer-seller meet facility is also available in it.
• The Netherlands will serve as the partner country for the event, while Japan will be the focus country for the event.

More than 200 chefs are participating:

• Representatives of many countries have arrived to participate in this program organized at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. In this 'World Food India 2023', an effort is being made to present the heritage of regional cuisine and royal food to the world.
• More than 200 chefs are participating and will present traditional Indian cuisine.

Capital assistance given to Self Help Group (SHG) members:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the process of distribution of initial capital assistance of Rs 380 crore to more than 1 lakh SHG members at the inauguration of 'World Food India 2023' in Delhi.

India ranked 7th in agricultural exports:

• According to PM Modi, exports of processed foods have increased by 150% in the last nine years. At present the country's agricultural exports have reached 7th place globally.
• There is no area within the Indian food sector in which there has not been progress. This growth may seem rapid, but it is the result of sustained and dedicated efforts.
• The Government of India has established a network of logistics and infrastructure across India by implementing the Agri-Export Policy for the first time.
• At present, there is no sector related to the food processing industry in which India has not registered growth. This is a golden opportunity for every company and every startup related to the food sector.

Ability to represent Indian women:

• Indian women have the natural ability to represent many other sectors including the food processing industry. For this, women and SHGs including cottage industries are being promoted at every level.
• India boasts cultural diversity that parallels its rich variety of cuisines, and this culinary diversity is a significant asset for global investors.
• There is no sector related to the food processing industry in which India has not registered growth. Also, there is an opportunity for every company and every startup associated with it.

Three main factors of growth in food processing industry:

• As India undergoes rapid urbanization and creates more job opportunities, the appetite for packaged food is also on the rise. To keep pace with these ambitious policies, the plans must be equally ambitious.
• In the food processing sector, the three main factors contributing to its success are small farmers, small industries and women.

To deliver coarse grains to every corner of India:

• PM Modi emphasized that millets are included in our category of 'superfoods' when discussing coarse grains. On the initiative of India, today once again an awareness campaign regarding millets has been started in the world.
• At present, there is a need that just as 'International Yoga Day' took Yoga to every corner of the world, in the same way millets should also be taken to every corner of the world.

Test and Techno. will give birth to a new future:

• In PM Modi's view, the combination of flavour and technology will pave the way for a fresh future and drive a new economy. Given the evolving global landscape, addressing food security has become a paramount challenge in the 21st century, making India's 'World Food' event even more significant.
• The ‘World Food India 2023’ program aims to position India as the food basket of the world and also celebrate 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’.