With a footfall of over 40,000 visitors, India's food processing sector aims to double its GDP contribution from 8% to 20% by 2030. With an expansive 38,000 sqm exhibition space, and over 800 companies from over 28 countries, day-one saw multiple speaker sessions, and a conference which discussed growth prospects of the food industry.

A panel discussion was hosted on the theme: Empowering FoodPreneurship: The Startup School - Nurturing Success for Aspiring Entrepreneurs’. The speakers were Nilesh Lele, president, Chamber for Advancement of Small & Medium Businesses, Prashant Naigaonkar, startup mentor and partner at RampUp Advisory LLP, Vaidehi Kalzunkar, deputy director, FSSAI and others.

Many industry experts were present at the conclave. These included: Mercy Epao, joint secretary (SME), Ministry of MSME, Govt of India; JP Dongre, deputy agricultural marketing advisor, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI); Oliver Frese, COO, Koelnmesse, Milind Dixit, managing director, Koelnmesse India.

In his inaugural address, Prahlad Singh Patel, MOS, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India emphasised, "Today's exhibition is the representation of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat,' that reflects the distinctive power of our market and the technological innovation that underpins India's development. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme are three pivotal programs actively championed by our ministry. These initiatives raise our industry to meet global quality and safety standards, benefiting the entire food processing value chain.”

Patel said, “The Government of India has allocated Rs 4,600 crores to sustain PMKSY, and recently, the allocation of an additional Rs 920 crores to PMKSY, reaffirms its commitment to sector growth and development.”

Mercy Epao, joint secretary (SME), Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India said “MSMEs play a significant role in the Indian economy, providing over 30% of the GDP, almost 50% of exports, and 45% of industrial output. The ministry runs around 20 specialised programs, one of which reclassifies MSMEs in accordance with investment.”

Epao said, “The goal is to achieve at least 50% women presence in MSMEs by 2047, making them India's top employers. There are ongoing programs like a registration push for female entrepreneurs and improved subsidies for women-owned firms.”

Epao added, “The ministry's Zero Effect, Zero Defect (Z) scheme encourages environmental sustainability while assisting first-time exporters. A 50,000 crore Self-Reliant India Fund has also been formed to aid MSMEs in diversifying.” He mentioned how even in the face of Covid-19 problems, reducing regional inequities and promoting resilience remain major priorities.” Epao said, “The Ministry of MSME is dedicated to empowering small businesses and assisting MSMEs in the fast-paced business environment of India.”

“We have specific schemes tailored for every category of industry, be it micro-entrepreneurs, MSMEs, or large industries, aimed at bolstering the food processing sector. With programs like the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Microentrepreneurs TMMM scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna for MSMEs, and the Production Link Incentive Scheme for major businesses, India is positioned to become a hub for the world's food supply. There is a great deal of opportunity for multinational firms to see India as the go-to location for food processing and exports on a global scale since we have access to an abundance of raw materials and undeveloped processing capacity,” said Jitendra Dongare, deputy AMA, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India.

Speaking on the occasion, Milind Dixit, managing director, Koelnmesse India said, "The government's initiatives, such as the creation of Mega Food Parks, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, and the recent Rs 10,900 crore PLI scheme for food processing, became the cornerstone for a robust food processing infrastructure and supply chain in India. Anutec and Anufood emerge as the crucibles of potential within India's culinary landscape. These exhibitions collectively serve as centres for innovation, collaboration, and exploration, propelling India to new heights in the global food processing arena and promising a brighter future for the industry.”

India's emerging food processing sector is set to generate nine million jobs by 2024 and attract USD 4.18 billion in foreign direct investments (2014-2020). It is poised for growth. By 2030, India's household consumption will quadruple, making it the world's fifth-largest consumer of food and food technology. The sector contributes to India's economy, accounting for 13% of exports and 6% of industrial investment. With a market size of USD 1.3 billion, the thriving Indian gourmet food sector sustains an impressive 20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

Anufood 2023 covered topics including Innovations in Texture, Taste Consistency for Plant-Based Products, and The Role of Plant Protein Clusters in Providing Solutions and Advancements. The key speaker for the session was Jasmine Bharucha, founder at Katharos Foods, Pradeep Rao, co-founder and CEO at Evolved Foods, and CS Jadhav, CEO, Nutri Circle among others.  Additional forums like the Packaging Theatre, Culinary Corner, and Innovative Trend Zone further enriched visitors' experiences.