Telangana attracts over Rs 7,000cr investment commitments

Hyderabad Around 27 agri-food companies have signed MoUs with Telangana government to invest totally Rs 7,218 crore creating direct employment opportunities to about 58,458 people in the State during The Food Conclave 2023 held here on Saturday.

The first edition of the annual event highlighted the need for increased investment in the production of agriculture, expanding supply food chain, and making policies that build both production and consumption.

The one-day conclave opened to a record-breaking number of attendees, with industry leaders and experts from all over the world flocking to the event to discuss the latest trends and innovations in agriculture.

The inaugural edition, which boasts a reputation as one of the most prestigious and influential gatherings in the food-agri community, featured an array of new partnerships and investments, further cementing its position as a key platform for shaping the future of the industry.

With a range of exciting developments on the horizon, attendees are eagerly anticipating the insights and opportunities that this conference has to offer. The event was inaugurated by Industries Minister KT Rama Rao and brought together the top 100 agri-food industry leaders.

Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Agriculture & Co-operation Minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy, and Industries & ITEC Principal Secretary Jayesh Ranjan also addressed the gathering.

On the occasion, KTR said “The State identifies food processing as a core thrust area. Over the past five years, the State has added more than Rs 7,000 crore worth fixed capital base to food processing capacities. In order to further boost the food processing sector in the State, we are building Special Food Processing Zones that will collectively bring more than 10,000 acres under fresh food processing capacities. Furthermore, at the end of this conclave, the State received more than Rs 7,000-crore investment commitment across the sectors, in aqua, dairy, agro processing, and allied sectors creating total direct employment of 58,458 by way of these investment opportunities.”

He added, "We are also working on the supply chain linkages where we will connect the industry to the farmers of the state by effectively deploying the agriculture extension system that we have built in the state. The self-help groups (SHGs) in Telangana also present a massive untapped potential in mobilizing farm produce in partnership with industry. Therefore, we are creating farmer producer organisations (FPOs) to provide plug and play supply chains for the food processing Industry."

The minister further said: “We are also committed to empower small entrepreneurs in the State and as of now nurturing more than 2,500 micro and small enterprises held by the State departments and supported by several welfare schemes such as the Dalit Bandhu Scheme. With industry friendly policies, robust and fast-growing raw material base, world class industrial infrastructure and active facilitation extended by our government to not just set up but to operate the industry in the most competitive manner, Telangana is the best place to be at this point in time."

The inauguration was followed by an inaugural panel discussion on "Envisioning India’s Decade in the Agri-Food Sector", which involved Dr Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, Dr RS Sodhi, President, Indian Dairy Association; Dr Vijay Gupta, World Food Prize Laureate, Former ADG WorldFish Centre (CGIAR) and Shiva Kumar S, CEO of ITC.

The panelist in the inaugural track highlighted the need to address climate change, improving supply chain, and also emphasised the great potential food processing holds in the future. Niti Ayog Member said, “We have seen very less investment in “production agriculture” and this needs to be enhanced.”

Five thematic tracks revolving around agriculture (green), edible oil (yellow), dairy (white), meat and poultry (pink) and aquaculture (blue) will be predominantly hosted during the event.

Some of the key questions that will be debated in the green revolution will encompass - Can India be the food bowl for the world while ensuring its own food security, Market linked production – How to recalibrate? Managing the macro – risks: Climate change, War, Disease, Trade embargo’s etc and Where are India’s next Agri food unicorns?

The "Yellow Revolution" track on the other hand will focus on - Realising self-sufficiency for edible oils in India, Sustainability and responsibility in edible oil production, Edible Oil Vs Health, and Navigating the dynamic global policy environment.

During the Pink Revolution track panelist will engage in addressing questions such as - Formalising the Indian meat value chain- Challenges & Opportunities, Meat Industry as a driver for a circular rural economy? Making the Indian poultry and meat industry globally competitive and Managing Macro risks for the meat sector: Pandemics, bio security, climate change etc.

Another interesting track featured was the "Blue Revolution" which deals with the Aquaculture sector, the track will focus on Building the domestic demand for blue foods in India, Aquaculture as a viable alternative to agriculture, What could be India’s next Vannamei moment? and Can we create the next Amul in the Indian aquaculture sector?

The series of track included "White Revolution" - highlighting issues and questions - Moving the Indian Dairy Industry up the Value Chain, Making Indian Dairy Industry Competitive, One Health: How do we prevent, detect, and manage biological risks, and Diary Tech for the Next Decade: The Why, What and How?

These key areas for discussion have been identified by the World Economic Forum-India, Indian Vegetable Oil Producers Association (IVPA), Indian Dairy Association, Heifer International, and Society of Aquaculture Professionals.

26-panel discussions, five roundtables, and more than 40 one-on-one meetings between government and industry leaders will be featured in the one-day event. Prominent industry leaders and experts in the agri-food sector in India are attending the event. The event also witnessed major partnerships, investment announcements, beyond the networking and one on one meetings that happened.