As New Delhi gears up to host World Food India’s second edition after PM Modi performed the inaugural formalities this morning, the aim is to bolster the perception of India being the ‘food basket of the world’ among participating countries. A key goal of the event has been aimed at leveraging self-help groups (SHG) as the PM has been reported to disburse seed capital to more than one lakh members of these SHG’s. As reported previously, Netherlands will serve as the partner country for the three-day event whereas Japan has been identified as the focus country.
Besides being a platform for government bodies, industry professionals, farmers and entrepreneurs to interact with one another, the participating sectors will also be given an opportunity to explore potential business ventures, establish partnerships and consider investment avenues in the agri-food sector. Additionally, 48 sessions with a special focus on providing insight into the different aspects of the food processing industry in India will enable distribution of information where innovations and skill sets are in the spotlight.
Narendra Modi will also be inaugurating the ‘Food Street’ that has over 200 participating chefs presenting regional cuisines that put the royal culinary heritage of the country in the spotlight. In the inaugural ceremony where the Prime Minister addressed the gathering, he talked about how the world has embraced the idea of millets – which have been part of India’s sustainable food culture for centuries. “Millets are a part of India’s ‘superfood bucket’ and the government has identified it as Shri Anna. On India’s initiative, an awareness campaign regarding millets has started in the world,” he added, comparing the celebration of millets around the world similar to the reception of ‘International Yoga Day’.
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He also emphasised the need for stakeholders to promote millets as a key to encouraging cultivation among farmers, drawing an example of the recently concluded G20 Summit where dignitaries were served millet-based dishes as part of the menu. The event is expected to host people from over 80 countries, along with featuring a Reverse Buyer Seller Meet where 1200 overseas buyers are said to be attending for investment purposes.