Feb 22, 2020
Badal said that while other countries are making special efforts to turn organic in agriculture, India already has natural advantages and it must be harnessed optimally. She further added that this organic festival can be of international fame in days to come.
While inaugurating the 3-day long festival in New Delhi started from 21st Feb 2020, Food Processing Industries minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal highlighted the need for organizing such events regularly and said that the government is planning to hold organic food festivals in different parts of the country depending on exclusive states for producing exclusive products in the said region.
“The Organic Food festival would provide an opportunity to women entrepreneurs for capacity building and economic empowerment”, said Badal. Rameshwar Teli, MoS for Food Processing Industries and Debasree Chaudhuri, MoS for Woman and Child Development were also present during the inauguration
India traditionally is an agrarian country and most of the hilly areas and tribal areas in India are naturally organic. Thus, India has huge potential for organic produce and market. Badal said that while other countries are making special efforts to turn organic in agriculture, India already has natural advantages and it must be harnessed optimally. She further added that this organic festival can be of international fame in days to come.
Pushpa Subrahmanyam, secretary, ministry of food processing industries said that they will showcase achievements of women entrepreneurs through this festival. She said that food and beverage industry in India is fifth largest sector in manufacturing and that, India has the highest number of organic producers in the world.
The event is spread over 6000 sq. mtrs of space, is the first such event where 180 women entrepreneurs and self-help groups are participating from over 25 states and union territories with very interesting products on display from across the country. Bring the best products from their states, producers are displaying Kiwi from Arunachal Pradesh; black wheat, pesto sauce from Ladakh; chia seeds, cookies and apricot oil from Uttarakhand; are all available with the exhibitors and the people are drawn towards these healthy organic products. This festival will bring women entrepreneurs and related dealers and distributors that will strive to provide a link between women producers and the markets and supply chains, thereby helping them to be financially independent and help their families and nation.
The festival is open to public, inviting them to relish numerous varieties of the organic and healthy products of various states. People will also gain knowledge about the organic products grown and produced in different regions of India. The festival is being organized by National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as the Industry Partner, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.