World Food India 2017

“The second largest arable land area, and as many as 127 diverse agro-climatic zones, give us global leadership in a number of crops like bananas, mangoes, guavas, papayas, and okra. We are second, globally, in terms of production of rice, wheat, fish, fruits and vegetables. India is also the world's biggest milk producer. Our horticulture sector has shown an average growth rate of 5.5 percent annually over the last ten years.” Narendra Modi.

With the vision of transforming Indian food economy and doubling farmer’s income by bringing latest technologies evolution and best practices into the system, World Food India 2017 was organized from 3-5 November in New Delhi. It is the most anticipated international mega food event, as India hosted the biggest ever congregation of global investors and business leaders of major food companies. Organized by Ministry of Food Processing Industries under the leadership of Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, World Food India aims to transform Food Economy and realize the vision of doubling of famers’ income by establishing India as a preferred investment destination and sourcing hub for the global food processing industry. This is the first time that India is hosting such an event for the Food processing sector. World Food India platform strengthens India’s position as a Global Food Factory and is a positive step towards making the Country Food Secure.

India was expecting to attract an investment of US$ 10 billion in food processing sector and generate 1 million jobs in the next 3 years. World Food India 2017 hosted over 2,000 participants, over 200 companies from 30 countries, 18 ministerial and business delegations, nearly 50 global CEOs along with CEOs of all leading domestic food processing companies, and representatives of 28 States in India. Germany, Japan and Denmark are Partner Countries to World Food India. Italy & Netherlands are the Focus Countries.

Highlights of the event

- Nivesh Bandhu 

MoFPI and FSSAI, the apex Regulatory body for Food Safety in India announced a powerful new tool called ‘the Food Regulatory Portal’. Planned as a single interface for food businesses to cater to both domestic operations and food imports, this portal would be a game changer for effective and transparent implementation of the food safety laws in the country. Aiming to create an enabling environment for businesses to operate, the portal is strategically aligned with Government’s mission of One Nation, One Food Law. It was launched to assist investors to make informed investment decisions. The portal would provide information on Central and State Governments’ investor-friendly policies, agro-producing clusters, infrastructure, and potential areas of investment in the food processing sector.

- Food Street

The special feature of the Event is the “Food Street” - a lively vibrant zone, that showcases Indian and foreign cuisines using Indian ingredients, flavors and fragrances, specially curated by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. The Food Street is a unique concept that acted as a platform for guests to learn about the globalization of Indian food through interactive chef talks and demonstrations, experience the traditional flavors as well as modern fusion food and give the attendees a wholesome experience about the diverse uniqueness that Indian food offers.

- MoU's

The companies who signed a MoU signaling their intent and seriousness about India included PepsiCo which signed a MoU worth Rs 13,300 crores for setting up a Food and Beverage plant, Coca-Cola for investing Rs. 11,000 crore in juice bottling infrastructure and fruit processing plants and equipment; ITC and Patanjali who committed to invest Rs 10,000 crore each in the sector. Other MoUs signed included Amazon in food retail business, Sharaf Group of UAE for Farm produce, collection, processing, and Export; YES Bank for financing food processing projects across the sector.

- Guinness World Record with 918kg of Khichdi

The India Gate Lawns witnessed the making of the largest portion of Khichdi, weighing 918 kilograms. The team headed by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor created a Guinness world record at the first-ever World Food India festival. A giant kadai made of stainless steel was used in the making of the Khichdi

- Meetings

International Ministerial & business delegations with 200+ members from 15 countries took part in B2B/B2G meetings. The mega event hosted 8 sectoral conferences, 2 plenary sessions on “India the preferred destination” with the Finance Minister of India and one on “One Nation, one food law- an enabling regulatory environment for investment in the food sector” in association with the Food Standards and Safety Authority of India. In addition, there are 20 State sessions and 6 country sessions. 7 sectoral publications also released at the event.

The president of India termed WFI "the Kumbh mela of Indian Food".

There is huge potential in the food processing industry. Initiatives like World Food India not only promotes the industry at international level but it also accelerates the employment opportunities. The need of the hour is to make the Indian food brand extensive and it must be showcased as a healthy food all over the world. Such events are the good initiative in the interest of consumer