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WOMEN FOODPRENEURS: TAKING A BITE OUT OF

At present, India is home to around 2000 startups in the food and beverage sector. Out of those, almost 50 per cent are being headed by women. Aspiring to eat healthy and feeding the family comes naturally to most women. They are more likely to be the primary shopper for groceries and understand the needs of their family members. As a result, women settle in comfortably with running a food business. Although the journey of entrepreneurship comes with its own bundle of hardships for women, they are rising above adversities and celebrating womanhood in their own way. NuFFooDS Spectrum has compiled profiles of 24 such successful food entrepreneurs who have carved a niche for themselves in the past 6 years.

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Published by MMA Media, 2019-03-01 01:17:03

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WOMEN FOODPRENEURS: TAKING A BITE OUT OF

At present, India is home to around 2000 startups in the food and beverage sector. Out of those, almost 50 per cent are being headed by women. Aspiring to eat healthy and feeding the family comes naturally to most women. They are more likely to be the primary shopper for groceries and understand the needs of their family members. As a result, women settle in comfortably with running a food business. Although the journey of entrepreneurship comes with its own bundle of hardships for women, they are rising above adversities and celebrating womanhood in their own way. NuFFooDS Spectrum has compiled profiles of 24 such successful food entrepreneurs who have carved a niche for themselves in the past 6 years.

Keywords: nutrition,foodsaftey,foodregulation,foodtech,womens

Website: www.nuffoodsspectrum.in
Email: [email protected]



4 EDITORIAL NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Sweet GMO message

Milind Kokje
Chief Editor

In late 90s, a co-operative of Cocoa producing 2050 or even before that by 2030 is feared. A Fresh
farmers in Kerala started producing chocolates to Look feels that the solution to the problem could
compete with an international brand, instead of be genetic engineering. Hence the chocolates are
merely complaining that the renowned brand was using sustainably grown cocoa from Dominican
killing them. A similar spirit is being observed once Republic. It will take some time to know the impact
again in Chocolate domain only. of the chocolates, not from a business point of
view but from an impact point of view – how far
A Fresh Look is a non-profit coalition of over the chocolates have been successful in spreading
pro-GMO (genetically modified organism) 1600 a positive message about a technology playing an
farmers in the US. It claims to be committed important role in meeting food challenges.
to demystifying GMO farming by “educating
consumers about the benefits of GMO farming This message has to be very loud and strong
methods, including how GMO crops allow farmers as there is still stiff opposition to GM crops. In
to produce food with less water, land, energy Philippines, paddy farmers destroyed the paddy
and pesticides.” But now these farmers have fields with GM varieties. In India too, there is a
not just restricted to theoretical education of strong opposition to the GM foods.
the consumers using some popular education
media, but are giving the consumers a ‘practical When the Modi government came to power it
experience & assurance’ in GM foods. raised hopes that it will give the necessary push
to the GM crops. But, the government could not
The group has produced the world’s first do much in that direction. Forget commercial
pro-GMO chocolate and possibly the first pro- use, even on the experiment front not much
GMO product of any time. In view of the large could be allowed. The Genetic Engineering
scale apprehensions or opposition to the GMO Appraisal Committee (GEAC), an apex body in
foods, normally food producers proudly carry non India authorized to approve the use of GM crops
GMO labels on the product packing to assure the approved in July 2014 the import of refined
consumers the GMO free status of the ingredients soybean oil derived from transgenic soybean. It
and products. Those who use GM products try to also approved field trials of about 20 GM crops.
remain silent about it. Ethos chocolate produced by The trials are on, but no progress has been made
A Fresh Look takes pride in its product being pro- in commercial production of the crops. Cotton is
GMO by announcing loudly on the package that it is the only GM crop that has gone into commercial
a GMO product. production in India. Government needs to give push
for the commercial farming of more GM crops.
Each of its four varieties of chocolate bars For that, it will have to run a campaign, not only for
is symbolic of a GMO story. Each bar has a fruit farmers but more for the consumers educating and
that has been saved or improved by genetic assuring them how safe the GM foods are.
engineering. It has papaya which was saved in
Hawaii after it was decimated by ringspot virus. The farmer’s collective group A Fresh Look
Another variety has orange which is protected from has shown a way that giving a dose of education
citrus green disease that threatens the entire crop, on new practices and consumption need not
by genetic engineering in Florida. The third variety be always bitter. It can be also done in a sweet
has apples that stays fresh without becoming chocolate way.
brown with the help of GM technology.

Even the cacao tree that produces cocoa is
threatened due to climate change. Its extinction by

New Voice of the Nutraceuticals &
New - Gen Food Indystry in Asia

Volume 6  |  Issue 7  |  March 2019
www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Publisher & Managing Editor Production & Design Nutraceuticals Nutritionals
Ravindra Boratkar MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications Functional Foods Wellness
Anil Walunj
Editorial Dietary Supplements
Chief Editor Cover Design
Milind Kokje ASIA
[email protected] Dominix Strategic Design Pvt. Ltd.
STtaOyPuSpTdOatReIdE,S
Advisor - Content Business take informed
Vijay Thombre Product & Marketing business dSeIRcIiOsiPohnasrma
Ankit Kankar
General Manager Content Creation and [email protected] receives Sports
Coordination: Narayan Kulkarni Nutrition
[email protected] CFO & Special Correspondent NuFFooDS SpPecrotrduumctAiosnia is a
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Bengaluru: Dr Manbeena Chawla Circulation, Subscription and and creates healthy interaction
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6 INSIDE NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Cover Story 18

WOMEN FOODPRENEURS

TAKING A BITE OUT OF

At present, India is home to around 2000 startups in the food and beverage sector. Out of those, almost 50 per cent are being
headed by women. Aspiring to eat healthy and feeding the family comes naturally to most women. They are more likely to be
the primary shopper for groceries and understand the needs of their family members. As a result, women settle in comfortably
with running a food business. Although the journey of entrepreneurship comes with its own bundle of hardships for women,
they are rising above adversities and celebrating womanhood in their own way. NuFFooDS Spectrum has compiled profiles of

24 such successful food entrepreneurs who have carved a niche for themselves in the past 6 years.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in INSIDE 7

Start Ups REGULARS 04
08
Food Editorial 09
start-ups in India Video Snippets 11
Policy and Regulatory News 12
Dr Prabodh Halde, Finance News 14
Past President AFST Company News 16
India, Chairman Start-Up News 40
AIFPA Maharashtra 42
27 World News 43
44
Supplier News 46
People News
Academic News
Science News
Event Diary

Trends 30 09 14
40 43
Indians’ shifting taste
buds to meat products 46

Q&A 36

"FSSAI needs to focus
on approving of more
and more ingredients"

Dr R.K. Sanghavi,
Chairman, Nutraceutical Committee, Indian
Drugs Manufacturing Association (IDMA)

39

“Sports nutrition is
a relatively nascent
category in India”

Carl Seletz,
Senior Vice President
of International, GNC

8 VIDEO SNIPPETS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Surya Shastry, Viable Option
MD, Phalada Agro The article on food fortification to tackle malnutrition
Research Foundations was a good one. It appears that currently food
talks about how the fortification is the only economically viable option
company is faring in available to India to address the huge burden of
the international and micronutrient deficiencies.
domestic organic
food market. - Shikha Gulati, Mumbai

Scan the QR Code » Gluten Free Claims
It would be great if you could write more about the
Dilip Sawhney, developments being made at FSSAI’s end for correct
MD-India, Rockwell labeling of gluten free products available in the market.
Automation highlights
how food packaging - Dr Charulatha, Bengaluru
manufacturers are
continuously innovating Healthy Herbs
in order to match the Globally, the industry is facing a switch from dietary
evolving consumer supplements to functional foods and beverages. With
choices. an increasing interest in healthy snacking, consumers
are looking into beverages, including coffee and tea,
Scan the QR Code » with adaptogen herbs. How is the trend shaping up in
the Indian Food Industry?
Gaurav Aggarwal,
CEO, OneLife - Dr Kartik Balwa, New Delhi
shares his views
on the growth of Specialty Ingredients
the nutraceuticals With the evolving definition of health and wellness,
industry in India. an increasing preference of specialty ingredients is
gaining center stage in the nutraceutical ingredients
market space. Please give more writes ups on this.

- Sidharth Ravetkar, Pune

Scan the QR Code » Thanks for your feedback. We have taken note of
your suggestions and will surely try to incorporate
the content accordingly in coming issues. Please
keep sending us your feedback and updating us on
your views about the issue and keep giving your
opinions on the content.

– Editor

Please send your feedback to
[email protected]

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in REGULATORY NEWS 9

FSSAI issues direction FSSAI bans use of
staple pins on tea bags
regarding wheat
The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India
flour nomenclature (FSSAI) has directed the Food Business Operators
(FBOs) to discontinue manufacture, storage,
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India distribution, sale and import of stapled tea bags by
(FSSAI) has issued a direction under Food Safety June 30, 2019. Subsequently, several representations
and Standards Act 2006, regarding use of the term have been received from FBOs raising the issue of
wheat flour/ whole wheat flour/ refined wheat cost involved in changing over staple-less machines
flour as English nomenclature for Atta or Maida on and presence of a few manufacturers of such
the packaging label of food products. According machines globally. Blanket extension of further time
to FSSAI, it has been observed that Food Business period for implementation shall not be given to the
Operators (FBOs) are using term Wheat Flour as FBOs. However, extension of time may be given on
English nomenclature for Maida on the label of the case to case basis based on firm commitment from
food products which does not convey the exact the FBOs with proper proof to change over within
nature of ingredient used for manufacturing of a specified time. All FBOs in tea bag manufacturing
various food items to the consumers as well as are directed to submit their plan to change over
enforcement officials. As per as the new direction, to new system by procuring the new machines or
atta should be labeled as whole wheat flour modifying the exisiting ones.
whereas maida should be labeled as refined wheat
flour. FBOs are directed to comply with these
requirements by April 30, 2019.

Food Safety Training and Certification set for second innings

The training and capacity of food handlers across the programme stipulates that Food
building ecosystem for value chain including micro, Business Operators are required
promoting food safety and small, medium and large scale to have at least one trained &
hygiene in the country has enterprises in the food sector. certified Food Safety Supervisor
achieved an important milestone FoSTaC has created a ripple for every 25 food handlers or part
by crossing a mark of 1,00,000 effect with a Pan-India training thereof in each of their premises.
trained and certified supervisors network comprising of 169 The FoSTaC programme runs
through 3,500 training sessions Training Partners and over 1,500 through an online portal also that
conducted so far in last 20 empaneled Master Trainers who manages all kinds of trainings
months since its inception in July are conducting trainings across 3 end-to-end through an effective
2017. The Food Safety Training levels of courses (basic, advanced delivery of entire course module
and Certification (FoSTaC) and special) in a cascading by trained subject matter experts
programme initiated by FSSAI model. With 17 courses across in association with Training
aims at building capacities the levels, the FoSTaC training Partners empaneled with FSSAI.

10 REGULATORY NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Cabinet approves India, Ukraine Mega food
collaboration for Agri, Food industry park to come
up at Mathura
The Union Cabinet chaired by on the date of its signing and shall
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remain in force for a period of five Union Minister for Food
approved Signing of Agreement years, being automatically extended Processing Industries
between the India and Ukraine for for subsequent periods of five years. Harsimrat Kaur Badal
cooperation in Agriculture and Food This Agreement can be terminated recently laid foundation
Industry. The proposed agreement after six months from the date of stone for Nandvan Mega
provides for cooperation in various receipt of notification of either Party Food Park Private Limited
fields of agriculture and food of its intention to terminate this located in Badawal, Chhata-
Industry. A Joint Working Group Agreement. Barsana road in Mathura in
comprising of representatives from Uttar Pradesh. The Mega
both countries would be constituted, Food Park is being set up
the task of which would be to discuss in 57.41 acre of land at a
and prepare plans of cooperation in cost of Rs 120.77 crore.
identified sectors and to monitor the Government of India
implementation of tasks determined has approved a financial
by the Parties. The meetings of the assistance of Rs 50.00 crore
Working Group shall take place at to the project. The facilities
least every two years, alternately in being created by Nandvan
the Republic of India and in Ukraine. Mega Food Park at Central
This Agreement shall enter into force Processing Centre (CPC)
of this Mega Food Park
Harsimrat commissions first include Multipurpose
Aqua Mega Food Park in AP Cold Storage - 2000 tons,
Individually Quick Frozen
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing recently (IQF) with Frozen Storage -
commissioned Godavari Mega Aqua Food Park at Tundurru Village in 2 tons/hour and 4000 tons,
Bhimavaram Mandal, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh recently. The Dry Warehouse - 10000
park is promoted by Godavari Mega Aqua Food Park Pvt. Ltd. This is the tons, Raw milk packaging
first Mega Aqua Food Park operationalized exclusively established for fish Line – 2 LLPD, Pulses and
and marine products processing in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Another Grain packaging line – 2
Mega Food Park sanctioned by the Ministry in Chittoor District of Andhra tons & Food testing lab. In
Pradesh has already been inaugurated on July 9, 2012. The 3rd Mega Food addition, the lead promoter
Park sanctioned by the Ministry in Andhra Pradesh is under implementation will also setup an Anchor
at Krishna District. Godavari Mega Aqua Food Park has been set up in Unit with an investment of
57.81 acre of land at a cost of Rs 122.60 crore. The facilities created by the approx. Rs 24.13 crore for
developer at Central Processing Centre (CPC) of this Mega Food Park include Dairy Processing with plant
Pre-processing line for Fish of 1.5 Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), Pre- capacity of 500 TPD. The
processing line for shrimp of 1.5 TPH, Freezing of Fish of 1.5 TPH, Freezing Park also has a common
of Shrimp of 1.5 TPH, Cold Storage for Fish of 2000 tons, Cold Storage for administrative building
Shrimp of 1000 tons, Ice plant, Food Testing for office and other uses
Laboratory besides state of art enabling by the entrepreneurs
infrastructure. and 5 PPCs at Aligarh,
Mathura, Kanshiram
Nagar, Bharatpur & Agra
having facilities for primary
processing and storage
near the farms.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in FINANCE NEWS 11

Hindustan Foods Lactalis acquires Prabhat
Dairy biz for Rs 1700Cr
acquires
French dairy multinational Group Lactalis has agreed to
ATC Beverages acquire the milk products business of Prabhat Dairy Ltd
for Rs 1,700 crore in its third takeover deal in the country.
The Board of Hindustan Foods has recently Lactalis, via wholly owned subsidiary Tirumala Milk
approved the proposal for acquiring 40 per cent Products Pvt Ltd, will buy Prabhat Dairy's unit Sunfresh Agro
equity shares of ATC Beverages. The Board also Industries Pvt Ltd. Prabhat Dairy now intends to develop
approved appointment of Neeraj Chandra, as an its cattle feed business in various parts of the country and
Additional Director (Independent Director) on expand into allied businesses such as animal nutrition and
the Board of Directors of the Company. Mysuru animal genetics. Lactalis had struck its first India deal in
based ATC Beverages Private Limited is engaged early 2014 when it bought Tirumala. In 2016, it acquired the
in the business of contract manufacturing of dairy business of Indore-based Anik Industries for Rs 470
beverages for PepsiCo presently. Hindustan Foods crore. Lactalis, which offers products such as cheese and
has also invested Rs 30 crore in the Coimbatore butter, has a presence in more than 120 countries.
plant. The company expects a turnover of Rs
250 crore annually from its green-field project
in Coimbatore for packing of tea and other
beverages. Hindustan Foods is focused to
accomplish the goal of Rs 1,000+ crore turnover
by the next financial year. The growth of the
company is being complemented with the growth
in the FMCG sector in India.

Danone invests $25M in Epigamia

French food and drinks giant more premium than Danone was category of flavoured yogurt and
Danone has announced an and is present only in five cities, yogurt-based beverages in India.
investment of $25 million in Indian mostly in modern retail stores. With innovations such as Bengal's
yoghurt maker Epigamia, a year Epigamia is currently available over famous 'mishthi doi', it had actually
after exiting the consumer dairy some 10,000 touch points, and the pushed dairy stalwarts such as
business in the country to focus on startup intends to reach a touch Amul and Mother Dairy to relook at
the nutrition and infant formula point of 50,000. During its earlier their innovation pipeline.
markets. Though Epigamia has been stint (between 2009 and January
successful, it is even 2018), Danone had created the

12 COMPANY NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Varun Beverages to distribute Pepsi across India

Varun Beverages (VBL), the largest VBL to bottle and market all PepsiCo states, including the fast-growing
bottler of PepsiCo drinks outside drinks, both cola and non-cola, seven northeastern states and two
the US, has bagged the contract leaving the cola major with only union territories Delhi-NCR and
to bottle and distribute PepsiCo rights to produce and distribute Chandigarh, after its successful
drinks across India, clearing the its snacks. VBL has so far rights acquisition of crucial central and
path for PepsiCo to exit the bottling to bottle and market all PepsiCo east Indian states like Madhya
business in the country. The drinks through 22 plants in 20 Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,
company has entered into a binding
agreement with Bihar and Odisha, last year.
PepsiCo India, the Further, it has
local subsidiary rights for
of New York- Sri Lanka,
headquartered Zambia,
beverages major Zimbabwe
PepsiCo. The and Morocco
agreement (one plant
will allow each).

Nestle gearing up to Kraft Heinz inks distribution
pact with Indo Nissin
launch new products
Kraft Heinz has entered Tomato Ketchup, said
Nestlé India is planning to launch two or three into a distribution Heinz. The partnership
dozen new products in existing and new partnership with will also aim to open
categories in the next few years. The company Japanese food giant up new markets and
intends to diversify its portfolio beyond its core Indo Nissin Foods, the introduce additional
Maggi and Nescafe brands. Between 2016 and makers of Cup Noodles products from the Kraft
2018, Nestle India saw 39 new brand launches and Top Ramen instant Heinz stable into the
in the aftermath of the Maggi ban. Of these, noodles. Nissin Foods has Indian market. Late last
11 products were subsequently discontinued. a distribution network year, Kraft Heinz sold
of 250,000 stores and off its non-core brands
The company recently the partnership will Complan, Glucon-D, Nycil
launched a bitter gourd- help expand business and Sampriti to Zydus
flavoured yogurt after its outreach. The partnership Wellness and its parent
entry into the breakfast will target multiple Cadila Healthcare for Rs
cereals market last year. channels such as 4,595 crore. After the
Nestlé, which has rolled retail, modern trade, divestment, Kraft Heinz is
out new products such as government channels only left with ketchup in
premium chocolates, dips and e-commerce India, though globally it
and spreads, breakfast distribution avenues, is the world’s fifth largest
cereals, nutrition bars, ensuring consumers have food and beverages
and ready-to-drink milk seamless access to Heinz company.
beverages in the last two
years, has also recalibrated
its distribution to reach more consumers.
Recently, the company has also announced the
launch of a new India-specific website AskNestle.
com. This will be rolled out as a platform to get
scientifically validated information on nutrition
and recipes.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in COMPANY NEWS 13

Cremica Food Park Mother Dairy enters
opens in Himachal Pradesh
Bihar with new
FMCG player Cremica Food Multi-crop pulping line with
Industries Ltd has started bulk aseptic packaging (24 processing plant
a mega food park in the MT/ hour), Frozen storage
Una district of Himachal (1000 MT), Deep Freeze, Dry Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of
Pradesh. Union Minister for Warehouse, QC Laboratory Agriculture and Farmers Welfare,
Food Processing Industries and other food processing Government of India, recently
Harsimrat Kaur Badal recently facilities. The Mega Food Park inaugurated Mother Dairy’s state-of-
inaugurated the food park. will leverage an additional the-art milk processing plant at Math
This is the first Mega Food investment of about Rs 250 Banwari, near Pipra Kothi in Motihari,
Park operationalized in the crore in 25-30 food processing Bihar. With the new facility, Mother
state of Himachal Pradesh. units in the park and generate Dairy, a wholly owned subsidiary of
The Mega Food Park has been a turnover of about Rs 450- National Dairy Development Board
set up in 52.40 acre of land 500 crore annually. The Park (NDDB), will now enter the state of Bihar
at a cost of Rs 107.34 crore. will also provide direct and with its famed poly pack milk, initially
The facilities being created indirect employment to 5,000 to be available across 6 districts East
by the developer at Central persons and benefit about Champaran, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur,
Processing Centre (CPC) of 25,000 farmers in the CPC and Siwan, Vaishali and West Champaran.
this Mega Food Park include PPC catchment areas. To further strengthen the initiative and
development of dairy infrastructure in
the region, Mother Dairy has come up
with a milk processing plant in a record
time of 11 months. Spread over an area
of 4.5 acres, the newly built plant has
a milk processing capacity of 1 lakh
litres/day and entails an investment of
around Rs 15 crore.

bioMérieux strengthens position in food pathogen testing

bioMérieux, a global player in in vitro diagnostics and complements bioMérieux’s molecular food testing
world leader in food microbiology testing, recently solution GENE-UP nicely and offers the opportunity to
announced the acquisition of Invisible Sentinel Inc. adapt Invisible Sentinel assays on the GENE-UP system,
This company, based in Philadelphia (PA) develops, making them available to customers processing high
manufactures and markets innovative and user-friendly daily volumes of samples.
molecular diagnostic tools for the rapid, accurate and
reliable detection of pathogens and spoilage organisms
in food and beverage. Invisible Sentinel has developed
Veriflow, an innovative DNA Signature Capturing
Technology that combines very simple protocols and
workflows with rapid results, accuracy and specificity.
The patented Veriflow technology, which integrates
innovative approaches based on conventional scientific
principles, already has a proven market uptake with
more than 1 million tests sold since its launch in 2014.
This acquisition strengthens bioMérieux’s position
in food pathogen testing and spoilage organism
detection by expanding it to new customer segments
such as breweries and wineries. The acquisition also

14 START-UP NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Gastrotope shortlists five startups

Agri food tech accelerator Gastrotope has shortlisted five startups for

the first cohort of its programme. Gastrotope was launched in 2017 by

the Japanese investor and incubator Mistletoe in partnership with GSF

India and Infobride. Gastrotope was set up to invest in startups in the

field of agriculture and

food processing. Over 150

applications were received Matrix Partners

for the current programme leads Rs 70 Cr

and out of that, five investment in

have been shortlisted. Country Delight

The shortlisted startups Matrix Partners India announced
that it has led an Rs 70 crore
include Brown Foods by round of investment in Country
Delight, a direct-to-home, mass
Lifenectar Healthcare, premium fresh milk brand. Existing
investors Orios Venture Partners
Credible, Wolkus also participated in the fund raise.
The funds will be used to scale
Technology solutions, operations nationally. India is the
largest consumer and producer
Occipital Technologies of dairy in the world. Country
Delight is targeting the approx.
and Triton Foodworks. The $100 Billion dairy market in India,
growing over 10 per cent per year.
Gastrotope accelerator programme helped these startups to optimize Today, 80 per cent of the market is
unorganized, with private brands
their business model, achieve product-market fit and execute a scalable making up only 10 per cent of the
market. Over 90 per cent of the
growth strategy. organized milk market is catered to
by mass brands. Country Delight
Zomato raises Rs 284 Cr funding was founded in 2015 and is trying
to revolutionize the way milk is
Food delivery startup Zomato $1 billion late last year at a $3.3 consumed in India. The startup
has raised Rs 284 crore in funding billion valuation. Zomato ended controls the whole supply chain
from a US investor Glade Brook FY18 with a 40 per cent growth in and sources its own milk from top
Capital Partners as part of its revenues at Rs 466 crore. The firm quality, local farms, and delivers
Series I financing round that also cut its corners squeezing directly to a consumer’s home
started with Ant Financial's losses by almost 73 per cent to with minimal processing and the
Rs 1,539 crore investment in come in at Rs 106 crore in FY18 highest standards of purity, within
November 2018. Since last as compared to Rs 390 crore in 24-36 hours. The service is delivered
month, Zomato was in talks FY17. In comparison, rival Swiggy through a convenient mobile
to raise between $500 million registered a 232 per cent surge in application that allows consumers
and $1 billion to take on rival revenue in FY18 at Rs 442 crore, to easily subscribe to the service.
Swiggy that raised a gargantuan with losses of Rs 397 crore. Country Delight is also entering
several other fresh food segments
like yoghurt, paneer, to name a few,
while adhering to the same high
standards of product quality.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in START-UP NEWS 15

Kalaari Capital invests $1.7M in agri-tech startup

Early-stage venture capital firm past year. The company plans to
Kalaari Capital has invested $1.7 use the latest infusion to expand its
million in Mohali, Punjab-based product portfolio and geographical
agri-analytics startup AgNext reach. The startup has a cost-
Technologies Pvt Ltd. The fresh effective and unique technology
capital infusion is the pre-Series A that can offer tremendous savings
round of AgNext, which had last to agribusinesses and affiliated
year received funding from social growers both at pre- and post-
impact firm Omnivore. With the harvest stages by improving quality
latest infusion, AgNext has raised a and traceability across the agri value
total of around $4 million over the chain.

Venture Catalysts invests Kapiva Ayurveda secures
funding worth $2.5M
in snacks startup Keeros
Food brand Kapiva Ayurveda has raised $2.5 million in
Incubation platform Venture Catalysts has recently a fresh round of funding led by early-stage consumer-
invested in snacks brand Keeros Foods Pvt Ltd focused venture fund Fireside Ventures. The round also
in the startup's seed funding round. Lucknow saw participation from 3one4 Meridian, which is the family
based Keeros will use the money to launch more office of TV Mohandas Pai, Infosys’ former finance chief;
products. Keeros was launched last year and sells Madhusudan Kela, former chief investment strategist
products such as multi-seed and multi-grain super at Reliance Capital; and promoters of ready-to-eat food
snacks. Its products are available in about 230 maker Gits Food. Kapiva will use the funds to scale up its
retail outlets in Lucknow and Kanpur, and were distribution presence and build brand awareness. Kapiva
launched in Delhi-NCR in December. It has also tied has a portfolio of over 40 ayurvedic food products, which
up with modern trade brands such as Big Bazaar, include herbal juices, ghee and honey. The startup’s
Modern Bazaar and Le Marche. Keeros is present products are available in over 4,000 outlets in 10 cities
across all major e-commerce marketplaces. The across India. The firm also sells products online on its own
online channel accounts for 30 per cent of Keeros’ website and other platforms such as Amazon, BigBasket
sales. Besides, Keeros has tied up with Boxy-Bites, a and Netmeds. Previously, Kapiva raised around Rs 4.4
corporate snacks supplier associated with about 100 crore from a group of angel investors.
organisations.

16 WORLD NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Bangladesh gets OryFo-cot Japan to spend $10.6M
flour for better nutrition
on nutrition for Pakistan
With a view to providing a nutritious and healthy diet
to people, a Bangladeshi researcher Rafiqul Islam has Japan has announced its contribution of
invented a wheat and rice bran-infused special type $10.6 million to fight malnutrition, improve
of flour, ‘OryFo-cot’. In order to ensure more organic livelihoods and increase resilience to natural
and natural sources of food, Rafiqul Islam has been disasters in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P),
continuing the research for more than eight years. Sindh and Balochistan provinces. This is part
According to Rafiq, Extensive milling and polishing of a partnership that the government of Japan
process is leading the rice that we are consuming to signed with the United Nations Development
be less nutritious as the outer portion or bran holds Programme (UNDP) and the World Food
most nutrients. Also, the flour obtained from wheat Programme (WFP) in Islamabad recently. Out of
is added with artificial nutrition elements which do the total $10.6 million, $3.5 million will be used
not suffice human need. As a solution, Rafiq’s research for early identification and treatment of 155,000
highlights mixing 1 to 1.4 percent of rice bran with acutely malnourished mothers and children
whole grain wheat, thus producing a type of edible in the K-P, including families who have been
flour which is high in fibre and anti-oxidant properties. displaced from Afghanistan and vulnerable host
Once Rafiq’s invention is approved by the government, populations. The Japanese contribution also
mass production will be possible for a limited cost as includes $3.55 million for the UNDP’s stabilisation
well as will serve people of the impoverished class of through Inclusive livelihoods initiative in the K-P’s
the country. tribal districts.

ARD Aluminium sets unit in Sri Lanka

The Board of Investment (BOI) of are largely imported from other the factory was held recently.
Sri Lanka has recently signed an countries, notably from China. ARD The company has the capacity to
agreement with ARD Aluminium Aluminium already manufactures manufacture 250 tons of aluminium
to set up a $ 1.7 million factory 15 variants of these containers containers per month, which is
to manufacture aluminium food and also barbeque trays used for the equivalent of 25 forty-foot
containers with lids and aluminium roasting of food. The company containers. The products will be
home foil wrap for food. Currently, will build its plant at the Mirigama exported to India, the United Arab
these products, which are popularly Export Processing Zone and the Emirates and Western Europe,
used by the catering industry, ground breaking ceremony for notably to the United Kingdom.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in WORLD NEWS 17

Industry Kellogg to test virtual
reality retail technology
leaders join
Kellogg has partnered with Accenture resulting experience immerses
Future Food and Qualcomm Technologies to customers in a simulated store,
develop a solution that embeds enabling them to shop, pick up
Initiative eye-tracking technology in a products and place them in carts
mobile virtual reality (VR) headset – all while monitoring what they
Leading food industry to determine the best way to stock are looking at, for how long and
players have joined shelves for retailers. The Accenture why. It has been designed to allow
forces to financially Extended Reality (XR) practice companies to extend their reach
back a new project developed the VR merchandising to more geographically dispersed
which aims to accelerate solution using a Qualcomm VR participants and perform market
the development of reference design headset. The research faster and on a larger scale.
healthy food products
that leverage consumer Nestlé acquires new technology
trends. Bühler, Givaudan to help fight iron deficiency
and Nestlé are co-
founding the Future Global food company Nestlé has collaboration with Massey University,
Food Initiative (FFI), acquired a novel technology Nestle will have access to an
designed to step up the developed by New Zealand scientists innovative technology that enables
search for sustainable, that will enable it to address iron to effectively fortify foods and
plastic-free packaging deficiency. The unique technology, beverages without compromising
and to secure access FERRI PRO was developed to the quality and taste.
to affordable nutrition address iron deficiency, without
as part of the global adversely affecting the taste of food
challenge of addressing and beverages. It was developed
hunger, malnutrition by Massey University researchers
and sustainability. ETH at the Riddet Institute Centre of
Zurich (the Swiss Federal Research Excellence (CoRE) hosted
Institute of Technology) by Massey in the Manawatū. The
and EPFL (Ecole technology was developed to help to
Polytechnique Fédérale address the world’s most important
de Lausanne) also nutritional deficiency, with over 1.6
belong to the initiative. A billion people suffering from iron
donation of $4.1 million deficiency anaemia. Through this
from the industrial
partners funded the
initiative. Initial research
projects will focus on
plant-based nutrition and
ancient plant varieties. A
postdoctoral fellowship
program will promote
young scientists. The first
call of the programme
is focused on studying
ancient plant varieties
to develop tasty,
nutritious food as well
as alternatives to animal
proteins in milk.

18 COVER STORY NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

WOMEN
FOODPRENEURS
TAKING A BITE OUT OF
Today, women continue to make notable headways
in the entrepreneurial landscape globally. In 2016 In order to strike a balance between their personal
alone, an estimated 163 million women had started and professional life, women often find working from
new businesses in 74 economies around the world. home a convenient option. The food and beverage
But the MasterCard Index of Women Entrepreneurs sector rightly offers women business opportunities
2018 recently revealed that India ranked 52 among which involve little to no startup capital and minimal risk.
57 countries studied. India’s low ranking in the index
suggests that the underlying conditions for women With a strong educational background in nutrition
business ownership or entrepreneurship in the country and dietetics, a number of women are coming up with
are less favourable as compared to the countries with creative ideas to run their startups. Women in the food
high index score such as United States (4) and China (29). business are doing much more than just pushing fruits
and vegetables. Their understanding of the relationship
During the recent budget announcement, Interim between diet, health, and disease is allowing them to
finance minister Piyush Goyal announced that India has teach and counsel people on healthy food selection,
become the second-largest hub of startups globally. food preparation, and good eating habits through their
Although it is a matter of pride, a gender imbalance startups.
scenario here takes away the joy. India currently houses
around 39000 startups but less than 10 per cent of these Women these days are fully aware that the field of
have founders as women. food and nutrition is constantly growing and expanding
as research brings to light new facts and new ways of
The major challenges experienced by women in thinking about how and what we eat. Keeping this in
entrepreneurship are lack of access to finance and mind, women are focusing on natural and healthy food
markets, as well as limited education and training in ingredients for their products and business ideas.
starting, managing, and growing a business. Women
startup founders are often underestimated and thus Today, women are innovating without disrupting
overlooked for financing opportunities, and women how consumers think about food and meals. Through
businesswomen, like women in other professions, their startups, women are creating a balance between
are expected to commit to family and child-rearing tradition and innovation keeping affordability,
responsibilities. abundance and accessibility intact.

However, one of the few areas where women To make things easier for the budding women
entrepreneurs have successfully made their mark over entrepreneurs, government is running a number of
the years is the food sector. Currently, innovations in financial schemes that can help women set up their
food processing and food product development are businesses to quite an extent- (i) Bharatiya Mahila Bank;
happening at a fast rate continuously developing newer (ii) Stree Shakti; (iii) Orient Mahila Vikas Yojana Scheme;
(iv) Udyogini Scheme; (v) Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme;
products and technology. (vi) Mudra Yojana Scheme; (vii) Annapurna Scheme; (viii)
At present, India is home to around 2000 startups Dena Shakti Scheme; (ix) Cent Kalyani Scheme.

in the food and beverage sector. Out of those, almost Although the journey of entrepreneurship comes
50 per cent are being headed by women. Aspiring to with its own bundle of hardships for women, they are
eat healthy and feeding the family comes naturally rising above adversities and celebrating womanhood
to most women. They are more likely to be the in their own way. NuFFooDS Spectrum has compiled
primary shopper for groceries and understand the profiles of 24 such successful food entrepreneurs who
needs of their family members. As a result, women have carved a niche for themselves in the past 6 years.
settle in comfortably with running a food business.
Dr Manbeena Chawla
(With inputs from Kalyani Sharma, Prapti Shah)

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in COVER STORY 19

DR EZHIL SUBBIAN SARAH D'SOUZA DR KAVITHA SAIRAM

Founder & CEO, String Bio (2012) Co-founder & Director, Biosyl Co-Founder, CEO & Director, FIB-
Dr Ezhil Subbian started String
Bio as a feed ingredient firm in Technologies (2013) SOL Life Technologies (2013)
2012 while she was in the US. After completing graduation in Dr Kavitha Sairam has had a
She worked on her company for Biotechnology Engineering at passion for science since a very
a year in San Francisco before KLE Technological University, young age. At present, she’s on
deciding to move to Bengaluru Hubli, Karnataka, Sarah D’souza a mission to apply a scientific
in 2013. String Bio found a co-founded Biosyl Technologies solution to global farming
home soon in the Bangalore with her classmate Amit Vernekar problems, particularly the issues
Bioinnovation Centre (BBC), an in 2013, with an initial investment surrounding biofertilizers. A
incubation centre set up by the of Rs 1.5 lakh. Although Sarah PhD in Biotechnology from IIT
Karnataka government. String came with a strong technical Madras, Kavitha co-founded FIB-
Bio is among the few promising background, she lacked the SOL Life Technologies in 2013 to
start-ups to receive financial practical knowledge required apply her biotech expertise to a
support from the Biotechnology to run a new enterprise. After major problem she was seeing
Ignition Grant (BIG) launched by enrolling into the required courses, in the organic farming industry.
the government’s Biotechnology Sarah gathered the expertise and Organic farmers face a number of
Industry Research Assistance started working on her startup. challenges such as low crop yields
Council (BIRAC) in partnership Biosyl’s in-house laboratory takes and pest attacks. FIB-SOL’s key
with the life sciences technology up contracts for quality analysis, product is an ultra-lightweight
and innovation hub, Centre for microbial testing, biochemical nanofiber carrier that protects the
Cellular And Molecular Platforms analysis and stability testing. essential microbes in biofertilizers.
(C-CAMP). According to the Food Biosyl’s first product was a Milk Kavitha aims at promoting and
and Agriculture Organization Adulteration Test Kit, which redefining farming in a more
(FAO) of the United Nations, Sarah addresses as a pocket organic and eco-friendly way
Asia-Pacific will need to increase lab. The kit helps consumers by using biotechnology and
its food production by 77 per identify adulterants present in nanotechnology as intervening
cent to adequately feed its milk before consumption. The tools. So far, the startup has raised
population of nine billion by core team of four operates out a seed funding of Rs 10 lakh from
2050. Ezhil is hopeful that String of Biosyl’s headquarters at the IIT-M Alumni Association.
Bio’s technology, which involves Centre for Technology Innovation
a fermentation process, could and Entrepreneurship at the BVB
go some way towards helping campus, Hubli in Karnataka, and
meet that goal. Currently, Ezhil is has twelve interns at present. Sarah
focused on completing customer is currently working on building
validation studies for the her team and reaching 1 million
synthetic protein animal feed, as customers. Sarah’s entrepreneurial
well as raising a Series A funding journey has been documented in
round. a book “The Underage CEO” by
Haper Collins publication.

20 COVER STORY NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

NEHA PANDIT TEMBE PARVATHI MENON DR DEEPA BHAJEKAR

Founder, Snack Right (2016) Founder & CEO, Fresh Harvest Founder & Director, d technology
Seeing the market which is
lacking genuinely healthy and (2014) (2015)
nutritious snacking options, Neha A Masters in Communication Beginning with a small food
Pandit Tembe started her venture from the Hyderabad Central testing laboratory in 2015, Dr
Snack Right in 2016, in order to University & an alumnus of the Deepa Bhajekar stands tall today
address this concern. Snack Right Management Programme for as a founder of d technology.
comprises of a subscription box Women Entrepreneurs, IIM Having analysed over 25 lakh
for the daily snacking needs. Bangalore, Parvathi Menon samples over the last 15 years,
Each box takes care of 15 days of started Fresh Harvest in 2014. It realizing there were no viable
nibbles with two snacks a day. is a mid-sized horticulture unit solutions to eliminate the
Wholesome granola bars, trail that combines the production common contaminants, Deepa
mixes, whole grain puffs, sweet of vegetables, fruits & flowers, as a scientist and a business
nutri pops, crackers, multigrain along with processing, value woman recognized a virgin area
mixtures are all made with addition and market linkages. to foray into a new and exciting
ingredients nutritionists keep Parvathi has designed her firm business activity and the second
highlighting upon such as oats, to meet urban demands across entrepreneurial venture d
amaranth, nuts, dates, seeds customer segments. Fresh technology was born. Deepa is
and so on. At present, Neha has Harvest's production facility currently serving as the director
a unit in Vile Parle east, Mumbai in Krishnagiri district is also a of her startup firm. She started d
that she works out of. There is sandbox for Agri Innovators who technology to innovate, upgrade
a team of five managing the wish to test, pilot & prototype agri and translate new technological
manufacturing, packaging and technology in real conditions. solutions to unsolved problems
logistics. A born foodie, masters As the CEO of Fresh Harvest, of quality, consistency and
in dietetics, a gold medalist Parvathi is establishing the productivity in food and agri
with more than a decade long model of a financially viable products. The company also
experience as a nutritionist, Neha horticulture venture growing provides advisory services in
is currently researching on how flowers, vegetables and fruits in a domain areas such as processed
to upscale her module at Snack hedged business model design. foods, milk and dairy, spices,
Right. Currently, Parvathi’s venture is herbs, condiments, beverages,
playing vendors to brands like the juices, nutraceuticals, ingredients,
Aditya Birla Group and Reliance additives to name a few. Prior to
Fresh. It is also selling in the d technology, she has started a
mandis as well as doing direct to food-testing laboratory in 2000,
home sales. which grew to become a leader
in the field known for high levels
of integrity, ethics and technical
expertise. In 2010, the company
had a JV with Silliker (Merieux
Nutriscience Group, France).

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in COVER STORY 21

PURBA KALITA SUHASINI SAMPATH MARY SHAMLA
KUMAR
Co-Founder, Salebhai.com (2015) Co-Founder & CFO, Snackexperts
Purba Kalita is the co-founder of Co-Founder, Yoga Bars (2014)
Salebhai.com, an e-commerce When Suhasini Sampath Kumar (2015)
marketplace which offers regional was in New York a couple of years The idea of Snackexperts
food specialities from across India ago, she realized the popularity of occurred to Mary Shamla
at one’s doorstep. The products health bars she would often pick back in 2015 while having tea
range from sweets, biscuits, up after a work-out. A chartered with her friends Arun Prakash
pickles, spices, chocolates, to accountant and MBA from and Arul Murugan. The trio
name a few. The concept of London Business School, Suhasini began executing the idea
Salebhai.com struck Purba and soon thought of tapping the and started the venture soon
her classmate Vishwa Vijay Singh Indian market with this segment. after. Snackexperts essentially
in 2015, to enable people living After discussing the idea with her targets the health freaks who
away from home to order a range sister, Anindita Sampath Kumar, are constantly striving to strike
of authentic food specialities the duo started Yoga Bars in India a balance between their hectic
from their hometowns. Purba in 2014. It is an energy snack bar lifestyle and health. Through her
identified a market gap created made from natural ingredients. venture, Mary wants to bridge
by people migrating within India The snack bars have whole this gap by healthy snacking,
and abroad. Foods representing grains and complex carbs, seeds, curbing snack cravings and
their cultures were mostly in nuts and protein boost while providing the essential nutrients
short supply in the new cities. its protein bars have complete for normal body metabolism.
Purba’s venture achieved a Gross protein, probiotic fiber, omega 3S Made from locally available,
Merchandise Value (GMV) of Rs and healthy fats. The company fresh ingredients, all the
2 crore in the last financial year sources its raw materials from snacks undergo only basic food
with a revenue of Rs 43 lakh and farmers across the country. processing and are devoid of
is currently averaging a GMV of Suhasini has worked for over a margarine’s, shortening agents,
Rs 30 lakh every month. Purba year to set up the supply chain. partially hydrogenated oils,
plans to achieve Rs 7 crore GMV Incorporated with angel funds emulsifiers, colouring agents and
this financial year. She intends to and bank loans, the company artificial dyes that pose threat
take the customer base to over has seen a steady growth in its to one’s health. Mary has raised
100,000 from current 40,000 in numbers. While it started with Rs 20 lakh seed capital from
this financial year. supplying to 10 retail stores, the angel investors that nurtured her
snack bars are now present in startup. The venture is currently
almost 800 stores across India. in the early revenue stage.
For the future, Mary wants
to introduce and innovate
snacks that cater to specific
groups like children,
women, diabetics, vegans
and fitness enthusiasts.

22 COVER STORY NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

JASMINE KAUR DEEPTHI ANAND DR ANJU SOOD

Founder, The Green Snack Co Founder & CEO, Valencia Co-founder, Rejoov Cold Pressery

(2015) Nutrition (2013) (2015)
A former banker Jasmine Kaur A master's degree holder in With a bachelors in Home
wanted to find a snack that was biomedical engineering with a Science and a masters and PhD
tasty, crunchy and nutritious at super specialisation in medical in Nutrition, Dr Anju Sood left
the same time. Soon, she quit robotics from New Jersey, USA, her job as a lecturer at the Delhi
her job and decided to work on Deepthi Anand spent a few years University to start consulting
her venture. She began by doing of her career in clinical research and helping people with lifestyle
research on various healthy before embarking on the journey related problems in 2005. During
snacks available globally. She of entrepreneurship. Her 14-year- this time, she felt that healthy
found that one product that old clinical research background foods that can replace snacks
had a ubiquitous presence in brought her into the health and are missing. This became the
diets world over was the leafy nutrition segment and she started driving force for Dr Anju to start
vegetable kale. This development Valencia Nutrition in 2013. This is Rejoov Cold Presseyr in 2015,
led to the birth of her startup Deepthi’s third entrepreneurial with her co-founder Anu Berry.
The Green Snack Co. in 2015. The venture. The first two dealt with Rejoov extracts juices from fruits
startup offers a range of healthy disease management while and vegetables using the cold-
snacks, including kale chips and Valencia Nutrition is all about pressed technique that uses a
quinoa puffs in different flavours. disease prevention. Valencia masticating juicer to squeeze
Kale chips are prepared through launched its flagship product, the juice while retaining all
a unique process of dehydration VitaMe, in 2015. VitaMe, short essential vitamins, nutrients and
that does not involve baking or for Vitalize Me, is a water-based living enzymes. Recently, Rejoov
frying while Quinoa puffs are functional beverage that comes became a part of Eat.fit which
roasted that keeps the nutrient in four flavours--Antioxidant Burst is led by Cure.fit platform. Eat.
value and raw goodness of the (Apple Twist), Unwind (Litchi-Mint), fit is servicing over 10,000 meals
ingredients intact. Jasmine has Electrolite (Guava) and Prebiotic per day now and doubling every
raised Rs 3.4 crore till now for her (Watermelon). Deepthi claims that three months.
startup and is currently working it is India’s first low-calorie water-
on product development, based beverage. Each variant of
product launches, branding and VitaMe has been customised for
Indians and in-house. The first
hiring more professionals. round of funding for Deepthi’s
startup came in few months
after the set-up, in the form of
Rs 3.5 crore from angel investors.
Currently, Deepthi is looking to
raise more funds this year.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in COVER STORY 23

SOUMI DEY RITIKA AGRAWAL RACHNA RAO

Founding Partner, Konkan Co-Founder, To Be Healthy Foods Co-Founder, FoddyBuddy (2015)
Working at the American social
Kitchen (2015) (2017) game developer company
The idea of Konkan Kitchen With a degree in Business from Zynga, Rachna Rao found it
germinated in Soumi Dey’s Delhi University and an MBA from difficult to squeeze in time to
mind when her daughter was University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, cook every day. As a result, she
diagnosed with an allergy to Ritika Agrawal slaved in various thought of building a platform
chemical food additives. This large corporations for almost that could give her the freedom
experience led Soumi to foray 9 years before starting on her to choose and get great quality
into 100 per cent natural food entrepreneurial journey in 2017. home-cooked food from the
products. After spending a She co-founded To Be Healthy neighbourhood. This led to the
considerable time in the banking (TBH) Foods along with Mayank birth of FoodyBuddy in 2015, a
sector, Soumi started Konkan Gupta in 2017 with the aim to platform that brings great home
Kitchen in 2015 and started provide healthy snacks online to chefs and foodies together.
manufacturing fruit spreads, the consumers. Both Ritika and FoodyBuddy can be used by
hot sauces and pickles with a Mayank realized that finding a residents of large apartment
product name Yummium. With a healthy alternative to snacking communities in Benguluru to
degree in engineering from NIT can be tough sometimes, and buy and sell home-cooked food
and Management from Institute the snacks available in the within their own community
of Rural Management, Soumi is local market today are totally and neighbouring communities.
constantly innovating with new unhealthy as they are processed Currently, FoodyBuddy has
products and experiments with in a lot of oil, preservatives and been focusing on residential
all that nature and the farmer can other chemicals. Through her complexes and has residents
bring to the people’s table. startup, Ritika is promoting from more than 100 apartment
vacuum fried snacks which are communities of Bengaluru on
currently available in a number of the platform. The team claims
stores. to have sold over 250,000 meals
across 20,000 households so far.
Recently, FoodyBuddy has raised
Rs 6 crore in a pre-Series A round
led by Prime Venture Partners.
Rachna intends to use the
funding to expand beyond
Bengaluru and further
grow the community and
network and reach over
1,00,000 home chefs in 2019.

24 COVER STORY NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

ANUSHA BHUSHAN AMBIKA SATAPATHY JYOTSNA PATTABIRAMAN

Co-founder and CEO, Smoodies- Co-Founder, ZooFresh Foods Founder & CEO, Growfit (2015)
A Melton Fellow and a graduate
Muddy Puddle Foods (2016) (2016) of BMS College of Engineering
After receiving a BSc Economics Ambika Satypathy’s experience and Stanford University, Jyotsna
degree from London School of in the food industry extends Pattabiraman has played
Economics and an MBA from back to 2012, when she was a leadership roles at marquee
IIM Calcutta, Anusha Bhushan Young India Fellow, working companies like Oracle, eBay and
started her career track working with Alchemist Foods, a poultry Yahoo in SiliconValley during their
with Deutsche Bank and Bain & company in North India. Prior growth phases. Entrepreneurship
Company. Due to long working to starting her own venture, was not her dream and it took
hours, Anusha was unable to Ambika was a Financial Analyst a while for her to take the
manage her nutrition and diet for a restaurant consulting firm, plunge. She developed her
properly but kept her love for Tasanaya Hospitality. Ambika co- startup Growfit in 2015. The
smoothies intact. This eventually founded ZooFresh Foods along startup consists of a group of
led Anusha to start her own with her husband Sadananda nutritionists, food technologists
business in 2016 with Smoodies- Satapathy who belongs to Odisha, etc. that helps customers
Muddy Puddle Foods which in 2016. ZooFresh is an agri-tech achieve peak wellness by using
she co-founded with her MBA startup that leverages innovative a combination of data science,
batchmate Siddhartha Deb. The post-harvest technologies and medical science and behavioural
company specialises in delivering retailing platforms to provide insights. Lately, Jyotsna raised
fruit smoothies, made with lots a competitive advantage to $4.5 million in Series A funding
of fruit and no added sugar and small sale producers of meats led by MEMG (Manipal Education
preservatives. The startup has its like chicken, eggs and fish. and Medical Group), the PE arm
presence in major metro cities Ambika’s main mission is to of the Manipal Group. Jyotsna has
like Mumbai and Bengaluru eliminate wastage, enhance been using the funds to expand
and Anusha is working hard to consumer health with farm fresh ten geographical locations which
expand it in the next five years produce, and increase farmer include Hyderabad, Jaipur, and
to have a pan India presence, as incomes in Western Odisha Mumbai. Currently, the startup
a new-age FMCG firm. Recently, where the startup is stationed. has 10 patent pending products.
Anusha raised Rs 3.4 crore in a Working in Odisha was a major The fund will also go into
pre-Series A round of investment lifestyle change for Ambika but introducing new product lines
she quickly learnt the skill of and in data science and Artificial
from equity crowdfunding leveraging all the advantages one Intelligence.
platform 1Crowd for her gets in lieu of being a woman
startup. entrepreneur like government-
sponsored programmes and
schemes as well as the benefits
of the general inclination towards
women-run businesses in the
private sector ecosystem.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in COVER STORY 25

ABOLI JOGI PRIYANGI BORTHAKUR TEJOMAY RASTOGI
AND JOYEE MAHANTA
Founder, Fudtekey Solutions Co-Founder, Juicifix (2014)
Co-Founders, O’Tenga (2017) Having worked for magazines
(2015) Originally from Assam, Priyangi and advertising agencies for 11
An experienced R&D professional, Borthakur and Joyee Mahanta years, Tejomay Rastogi realized
Aboli Jogi started Fudtekey moved to Mumbai more than that health is the most important
Solutions in 2015. It is a Thane- 15 years ago to pursue their thing. Late working hours and
based food technology graduation. Joyee graduated with no time to eat meals made
consultancy firm that specializes a bachelor’s degree in commerce her think of wholesome and
in new product development, from Sydenham College of quick food options that could
process development and Commerce and Economics and be consumed without a worry
standardization, project set-up subsequently an MBA in Human of getting it easily. With a sole
and other allied services critical Resources from ITM. She worked idea of delivering health in every
for food and beverages industry with a recruitment firm and then house, Tejomay started Juicifix
across the globe. Aboli has built with a pharmaceutical MNC. in 2014. A Mumbai-based young
a state-of-the-art R&D Lab that Priyangi has a bachelor’s degree start up Juicifix’s healthy and
is well equipped for carrying out in Mass Media and a Masters in cold pressed juices come in 20
different types of R&D activities. English Literature from Mumbai different fruit and 10 different
Fudtekey is a second house University. She worked as an vegetable flavours and are
to several food scientists from Assistant Director in the Film delivered all over Mumbai on
academia and industry who work and Advertising industry. Their subscription basis. Juicifix does
relentlessly to solve the problems passion for food prompted them monthly subscriptions of a fresh
of clients. In addition to the basic to quit their respective jobs and fruit or vegetable juice flavour
R&D facility, the startup also has start O’ Tenga to popularize and delivers daily at doorstep.
a dairy lab, beverage lab, Ready- Assamese cuisine in Mumbai. The company offers cleansing
to-cook (RTC)/Ready-to-eat (RTE) They started their labour of love packages and its Green Juice
lab. Prior to starting her own in April 2017 and initially hosted is one of the most appreciated
venture, Aboli has worked in R&D pop-up lunches at home and product.
departments of companies like subsequently began delivering
Ensigns Healthcare, Triple Pee their food throughout Mumbai.
Solutions, Green Bowl Foods The cuisine has been well received
and MTR Foods and in Dow by the people of the city and the
Chemicals. growing demand inspired them
to move their operations to a
commercial kitchen in December
2017 and make inroads into
catering services as well. Steadily,
O’ Tenga is moving towards its
goal of promoting this lesser-
known cuisine in the city.

26 COVER STORY NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

DR SHILPA VARMA VINITA BANSAL SALONI KASLIWAL JAIN

Director & Partner, Healthy Hey Founder, Roots n Fruits (2018) Founder, TreeMiracles Health
Being a foodie and health
Foods (2016) aficionado herself, she found Solutions (2016)
With an aim to restore important it extremely difficult to find Born in a family of doctors and
minerals and vitamins back beverages that are healthy and Vaids, Saloni Kasliwal Jain with
into the body, Dr Shilpa Varma tasty at the same time. Healthy an MA in English literature
started Healthy Hey Foods in foods are typically associated with along with degrees of Ayurved
2016 along with Agarwal Govind bland taste. In beverages, most of Aacharya, chose to enter into
Pitamber, Modi Bharatprasad the products available are loaded medicines and studied ayurveda
Jagdeoprasad and Rachana with sugar and preservatives. and made medicines of valuable
Rishi Modi. Dr Shilpa’s startup She started Roots n Fruits in herbs to heal the people suffering
is one of the leading Mumbai- 2018 with the idea to provide with gluten intolerance. She
based nutrition supplement wholesome nutrition to everyone. founded TreeMiracles Health
and nutraceuticals company. This Bengaluru-based startup Solutions in 2016, which is based
A leading manufacturer and provides fresh cold-pressed juices on the foundation of producing
distributor of Whey Proteins, and smoothies which are 100 gluten free health and nutritious
Aminos, Collagen Protein, Sports per cent natural with No Added products. In the current time of
Nutrition and Nutraceuticals, Sugar or Preservatives. She takes rage in the use of chemicals and
the company has more than extra care to package them in pesticides in the food products,
70 products. A research scholar glass bottles providing beverages she has put her soul to make the
(PhD) and with degrees such as that are safe to consume and best products without the use
PGDND, PGDPH, PGD, Dr Shilpa environment friendly. With a of any chemicals and synthetic
is a certified diabetes educator master’s degree in computer colours. The products induced by
and is also certified in critical care science, Vinita has honed her her are also free from dairy and
nutrition and nutrigenomics. A skills at India’s top startups like any type of sweeteners. Saloni is
consulting clinical nutritionist Flipkart and Dailyhunt. Her last currently sending her products
in hospitals like Bellevue stint was at the food delivery to some of the renowned
Multispecialty Hospital, Child market leader Swiggy where she naturopathy centres as well as
Hormone Foundation and had a ground level view of the few yoga centres across the
Mothercare Clinic, she is also pain points of the food industry country.
a co-founder of BeFitHealthy and built products to solve those.

program.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in START UPS 27

Food start-ups in India

Globally, start-ups have been seen as nation builders. They make a positive Dr Prabodh Halde
contribution to a nation’s economy and create jobs. They develop a viable
Past President AFST
business model around innovative products, services, processes and India, Chairman
a platform that drives successful industry and an economically strong AIFPA Maharashtra
nation. There have been over 36,000 registered start-ups in India of which
over 15,000 have got start-up recognition. The maximum, almost 15 per
cent start-ups are in IT services followed by over 8 per cent in Healthcare &
Life sciences. Start-ups have been growing over the years, from only 503
start ups in 2016 to 5,373 in 2017 and 8,724 in 2018. Agriculture and Food
& Beverages sector together account for less than 8 per cent. So, there is

good scope for more start-ups in these sectors.

India has the second largest land cover in the world other countries such as the USA, France and Malaysia,
with diverse agro-climatic zones across its regions. processed fruit and vegetable account for 70 to 80
Large marketable surpluses are produced here which per cent of total production, India processes only 8.3
can become abundant raw material for processing. With per cent. There is a great scope to increase the level of
changing life styles and eating habits, food processing processing in other foods as well including milk and
start-ups will only flourish in the coming days. India milk products, meat and poultry as well as in marine
adds 1.5 crores to its population every year which is products.
equivalent to 3 New Zealands or 2 Israels. India needs 4
billion meals in India every day so having food start-ups Global trends such as 1. increased use of natural
is more desirable here. products, 2. increasing shift to wholesome nutrition
rather than functional benefits addressing a particular
India produces various agricultural commodities health concern, 3. increased consumer attention to
which places it in the first rank in many sectors in world nutritional labels rather than relying on advertising claims,
production. It produces highest amounts of Milk, Pulses 4. increased focus on healthy food that is also tasty, and
and Tea whereas it is ranked second in case of wheat, 5. increasing certification and Regulations for building
rice, fruits, vegetables, sugarcane etc. In coarse grains credibility in market- are expected to be seen in Indian
and edible oilseeds it ranks third. markets in the near future. Several consumer behaviour
studies have shown trends in Indian food and they are
Despite such a huge food production, food encouraging for food start-ups due to following reasons -
processing in India is still at a nascent stage. While in

28 START UPS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

1. Safe- being organic, natural or traditional Start-up Ecosystem
2. Convenient- being ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook or
on-the-go foods For a start-up to materialise there are many components
3. Healthy- such as functional foods, nutraceuticals necessary. There are support organisations, big
etc. companies and universities along with funding agencies,
These consumer behaviours show the way for service providers and research organisations that make
Food Start-ups. it possible for start-ups to begin. Many ideas, inventions
In the offering area following trends are seen: and research can give a boost to start-ups which may be
1) Private labels, change from products to services, at different stages with entrepreneurs and start-up team
innovative packaging that influences purchase, and members trying to make the start-up successful.
sustainable products.
2) Trends in the Consumption are: Health Just like a living organism, a start-up has different
consciousness (low sugar/carb, high protein, and multi stages of life. It starts with the Discovery of a product
grains); Natural, organic & fresh produce; cold pressed or service that is scalable for a sufficiently large target
beverages, global cuisines; Ready-to-cook or ready-to eat market. The second stage is Validation wherein the
products; Review based ordering and regional tastes discovered product or service hits the market for initial
3) There are also major trends shown in food delivery consumers. This will give birth to the start-up which
sector such as E-grocery, restaurant food delivery, food enters into the next stage namely the Maintenance
kits, E-FMCG food & semi-prepared food. where the benefits and problems faced due to global
presence need to be addressed. The final stage is either
Entrepreneurship & Innovation the Sale of the start-up to a bigger giant or to acquire
huge resources for renewal or further growth of the
Common traits of entrepreneurs are that they are start-up to become a large company.
original thinkers and risk takers. But some of the
traits that separate successful and unsuccessful Stages of the startup lifecycle
entrepreneurs are the following:
Modern Research & Development
Successful ones are creative and innovative, able
to position themselves in shifting or new markets, It is very essential for any start-up to do a lot of research
can create new products, processes and/or delivery before getting into execution of the idea. While
whereas those who are poor managers, with low
work ethics, inefficient, fail to plan and poor money
managers will find it impossible to be successful
entrepreneurs.

For the start-up, innovation is the key. Entrepreneurs
must remember the rules of innovation. Innovation
is never a single event but a drawn out process that
is first discovered and then transformed. Innovation
never occurs in a single field of expertise but exists in
combination. Asking the right questions defines the
problem or task that needs to be carried out.

One must also remember that there is no optimal
size of a company for innovation. A bigger company
may have resources but a start-up has the agility for
bringing up the innovation.

The innovation may be leveraged to get partners,
platforms as well as talents and tech support for the
start-up. When innovation starts giving returns much
of it should be invested in improving the existing
innovation to make it better. Some should be invested
in adjacent markets and some should be invested
in completely new innovations so the growth of the
start-up is continued. Finally disruptive innovations
need new business models which are different from the
existing ones.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in START UPS 29

START-UPS & … FSSAI
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI),
Government of India an apex regulatory body with ministry of health and
Start-up India is a flagship programme family welfare, responsible for setting standards for food
for the Government and thus there are many so that there is one body to deal with and no confusion
schemes for supporting start-ups. Some key in the minds of consumers, traders, manufacturers,
schemes and support: and investors has started project FINE: Food Innovator
 Start Up India Network and also initiated the Fostac Plus course
 Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) especially for start-ups. Through program FINE, FSSAI
 NewGen Innovation and Entrepreneurship is extending support to start-ups, giving one point
Development Centre (NewGen IEDC) help to start-ups for accelerators, Content partners, Lab
 Dairy Entrepreneurship Development professionals, mentors, government schemes etc.
Scheme promoted by National Bank for AFST
Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Association of Food Scientists and Technologists
 Venture Capital Finance Assistance (VCA) of India (AFST), one of the largest professional and
Scheme promoted by Small Farmers’ Agri- educational organizations, with around 3500 members –
Business Consortium (SFAC) food scientists and technologists is supporting start-ups
 India Aspiration Fund especially in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi
Over and above, every state has launched where its chapters are creating good initiatives. Through
many schemes to increase start-ups in the its network AFST is supporting over 250 start-ups.
respective state in the area of food and
agriculture.

conducting R&D in food industry there are a couple different stages of a start-up and the figure exemplifies
of things to be remembered. One needs to take into the same. In India, there are over 45 VC (Venture
consideration the consumer for whom the product or Capitalist) companies and most support IT start-ups.
service is targeted and the technology used for food There are very few that support Agri and Food space.
processing. To find out the consumer needs, one need
to carry out mapping of the consumers which may be At each stage the drivers and risks are different. Those
conducted by carrying out a market survey. Technology who overcome the risks go on to the next stage. For the
always enables newer products or processes to be concept or idea stage, the risk is the idea being copied
used in order to satisfy consumer demands. Extrusion by someone. So one has to protect the idea and act fast.
and baking are some of the means of supplying some 30% start-ups die at this stage. At Validation stage, self-
nutrients and healthy ingredients to consumers who are belief is the most important aspect and generally over
demanding them. As consumers are finding less time 40% start-ups give up at this stage.
and skills for preparing some of the products themselves,
technology offers solutions such as cut vegetables, Once the concept is accepted and a prototype has
dosa batter that saves their time and efforts. Innovative been launched, then sustenance is the key; one has to
packaging using various technologies have been serving prove the start-up is a commercial venture and profitable
the consumers by providing them convenient and shelf- business. Always keep in mind that a start-up is being
stable products. Consumers are also looking for some done for scale and without scale you will not be able to
traditional recipes which are formulated by the industry attract any investor. To feed the 1.3 billion population
with some modern twist through innovative formats. of India, the food industry will play an important role
and for bringing innovative and practical products and
Finance for Start-ups services, food start-ups are crucial for the country’s
growth. Unfortunately in food processing, less than 10
Any start-up needs financing, which can have three per cent start-ups cross stage three of the start-up cycle
stages in its lifecycle. Finance can be raised through (scalability). Though the overall economy is favourable
several sources including family and friends, banks for food start-ups we should all support the system and
and government schemes. There are crowd funding help these tiny start-ups to excel and grow. Food start-
and Angel Investment options open as well as for the ups are beneficial for a farmer’s economy since it values
start-up. One can also try venture capital from finance the farm products and also from an employability point
agencies. Different finance schemes are needed for of view, for a populous country like India Food start-ups
are very important for the country’s growth.

30 TRENDS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

INDIANS’ SHIFTING TASTE
BUDS TO MEAT PRODUCTS

India’s meat sector is all set to hit a mammoth figure of Consumption of meat and meat
$22 billion market by 2022 this opens a wide window products are really high on a global
to both domestic and international meat processors scale but in India, it is the other way
to be a part of this booming trade and explore new round as most of its population thrive
opportunities. With many Indians developing a on vegetable diet. But analysation on
pronounced palate for meat, the segment is geared the production figures reveals shocking
up to sprawl into multiple folds. NuFFooDS Spectrum’s information that India with the production of
6.3 million tonnes of meat, stands fifth largest
Nitin Konde gawps in, to explore the new opportunities meat production nation in the world.
and potentials that this sector provides, while speaking
According to the sample registration
to some of the stalwarts of the Indian meat industry. system (SRS) baseline survey 2014 released
by the registrar general of India, 71 per
cent of Indians over the age of 15 are non-
vegetarian. While that means 330 million

of India’s 1.2 billion people are vegetarian,
it obscures the fact that many are
rapidly abandoning their
vegetarian diet due to an
increased desire for
meat.
There
are

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in TRENDS 31

many reasons for a sudden rise in number of people “In coming years, poultry production and
consuming meat and one among them is youngsters consumption in India is predicted to grow due to
are now getting more inclined towards fitness and various factors such as a shift
consuming healthy food for that, consuming meat is in food habits, urbanization,
one of the easiest way to intake some high nutrients in increasing awareness of
their body which normal diet couldn’t provide them. balanced nutrition etc. The
Another reason, over the years, Indians have started broiler meat consumption
exploring the world more, owing to the fact that the pattern shows that around 62
number of Indians visiting countries world over have per cent of meat is consumed
increased drastically compared to last two decades. in major 10 cities and rest of
With most of the countries dominated by meat the consumption comes from
products, it leaves the person with no other option other cities with a smaller
then to include meat in his palatable list. percentage from villages,” says Ricky Thaper, Convenor
of the Poultry Federation of India.
One more strong reason for the swing is in some
of the places in India, one kilogramme of chicken can Poultry remains the dominating sector in Indian
be bought for as less as Rs 100, which is sometimes meat industry with Global Agricultural Information
cheaper than even dal! For some reason, it is seen Network stating that the consumption of processed
as aspirational: with families declaring their status chicken in India is rising rapidly at 15-20 per cent
by eating chicken, rather than beef or mutton, as per year. In 2017, chicken production increased by 7
they climb the social ladder. The growing middle- per cent, reaching 4.5 million tons. According to the
class population is inclining towards processed meat Indian Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying
and major international companies are expanding and Fisheries, an estimated 238 crore chickens were
their business by means of mergers, acquisitions, or slaughtered for their meat in 2016-17 in India. About
partnerships. 70 per cent of this poultry production is controlled by
large companies, which run hatcheries, feed mills and
Emerging sectors in Indian meat industry slaughter facilities using huge
 POULTRY amounts of water at every
stage of production.
The recent data of the year 2017 released by Poultry
Federation of India states that the egg production Giving more insights into
in India is 75 billion and the broiler production is 4.2 the industry, Ashish Modani,
million tons per annum. "Consumption of feeds, mainly Assistant Vice President,
corn is expected to increase Corporate Sector ratings,
because demand for poultry Investment Information
products are likely to rise by and Credit Rating Agency
at least six per cent this year,"
says Sanjeev Chintawar,
Business Manager, National
Egg Coordination Committee.

The growth rate of layer
market is 6-7 per cent
per annum and
broiler market is 8-10 per cent per annum.
Approx. 75 per cent of egg production
is contributed by commercial poultry
farms, remaining comes from
household/backyard poultry.
Total poultry feed
production of the country
stands at 22 million tons.
The Indian poultry
sector is valued at Rs
one lakh crore or
$15.38 billion.

32 TRENDS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

of India Limited (ICRA) says, “The domestic poultry available for poultry, which is not sufficient to maintain
industry mainly consists of broiler meat and table egg the current growth rate of the industry,” Ricky Thaper.
with other poultry meat forming marginal proportion
of overall market. Based on average chick placements Reacting to this Dr G.
per month, total broiler market size is estimated at 4.2 Ranjith Reddy, Managing
million tons (carcass weight), translating into volume Director, SR Group suggests
growth of 7 per cent year-on-year during calendar year “Genetically Modified (GM)
2017.” grain production should be
allowed in India to solve raw
With the rise of middle class and increased material availability issue,
ubanization, a major population prefer to go for non- and may be at a reduced cost.
vegetarian. Today, about three million farmers and Even US is exporting soya
million agrarian farmers are employed in the poultry bean to Sri Lanka at Rs 28 per
industry that are usually growing poultry ingredients kg while in India it is available at Rs 33 per kg. So grain
for feed and contribute about Rs 26,000 crore to the production cost is to be reduced to put a cap on its
national income. prices. Soya bean yield can be increased more than 2
times by using GM seeds.”
“India’s growing middle-class is pushing the growth
of the meat sector. Research shows that there will be In addition to this a bigger challenge for the Indian
poultry industry is import of US chicken legs. These
around 80 per cen growth legs are high in saturated fatty acids and due to lower
in meat demand by 2022 consumption in US, it wants to dump the same in India.
driven by convenience. This Moreover, it is to be kept in a frozen state and in view
will bolster the adoption of of an inefficient cold chain system prevalent in India, it
processed meat, fish, and would be a big challenge.
poultry products. The Indian “Government is giving them subsidies so to offer same
meat market is $31 billion price of US chicken legs as that of Indian producer,
growing at a CAGR 20 per but it would spoil the Indian market in the long run.
cent and it will reach $65 In order to protect the industry, dumping duty should
billion by 2022,” stated Vivek be laid on it by the Indian government,” suggests Dr
Gupta, Founder, Licious. Ranjith Reddy.
Licious is a two-year-old Bengaluru-based company,
operated by Delightful Gourmet, delivers processed
and unprocessed meat items on their door step. “Our
country’s middle-class indicates a preference for
high-protein food like meat. This is evident from India’s
largest household consumption survey conducted
by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), with a
sample size of over one lakh
households. In fact a recent
survey has busted the myth
that India is a vegetarian
country, 72 per cent of
Indians have non-vegetarian
dietary habits with south
India being a heavy
meat consuming section
compared to the central &
north India,” Abhay Hanjura, Founder, Licious.

Challenges

With poultry industry sprawling its nexus, it requires
a constant supply for feed to keep the bird growth rate
healthy but maintain the supply of feed is currently
sector’s biggest challenge. “At present India grows
only 11 million tons of maize and only 5 million tons is

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in TRENDS 33

INDIA’S CRAVE FOR THE GOAT
MEAT HAS BEEN INCREASING
DAY BY DAY. IT HAS LED TO THE
COMMODITY’S PRICE INCREASING
AT 20 PER CENT PER ANNUM.
THE DEMAND FOR GOAT MEAT IS
INCREASING FASTER THAN THE
GROWTH IN GOAT POPULATION.
EXPERTS IN THE FIELD ARE OF
THE OPINION THAT IF THIS TREND
CONTINUES, INDIA WILL HAVE
TO IMPORT GOAT MEAT FROM
AUSTRALIA OR OTHER COUNTRIES
TO MEET THE DEMAND.

 GOAT MEAT long term. But the commercial goat farming and its
market in India have been adopted by some large and
India’s crave for the goat meat has been increasing day progressive producers, industrialists, businessman and
by day. It has led to the commodity’s price increasing large companies.
at 20 per cent per annum. The demand for goat meat
is increasing faster than the growth in goat population. This type producers or large companies control
Experts in the field are of the opinion that if this trend a citable portion of the total market. Continuously
continues, India will have increasing demand of goat meat and milk in India is a
to import goat meat from hope for widely spreading this industry. In India, the
Australia or other countries goats are among the main meat producing animals.
to meet the demand. Dean of Most of the people prefer goat meat and has a huge
Bombay Veterinary College domestic demand.
Dr Abdul Samad says, “We
have neglected goats for Challenges
long. There is no government
programme to encourage In response to representations from animal rights’
goat rearing although it is activists, the government of India has imposed an
an animal which gives good returns without huge indefinite ban on the export of livestock from all sea
investments.” Dr Samad adds that though the goat ports in the country.
population is increasing, according to the government
census, declining grazing land poses a big challenge to According to data from the Ministry of Commerce,
the industry. the export value of sheep and goat meat from India has
increased from $128.38 million in 2015-16 to $129.69
Commercial goat farming in India is becoming million in 2016-17. According to reports, about 60
very popular now a days. As goat farming is a proven countries import goat meat from India and 80 per cent
highly profitable business idea so, the popularity of this of the total meat exports go to West Asia. United Arab
business is increasing rapidly. It is also one of the finest Emirates (UAE) followed by Nepal are the two main
and established livestock management departments in countries which import live sheep and goats from India.
the country.
Despite of great boom, this move by the
Huge market demand and proper spread ensures government has irked many livestock exporters.
fast profitability and sustainability of this business for “Government is not ready to listen. The decision has
been taken without taking into consideration the

34 TRENDS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

WHY INDIA FOR “In the face of continued
MEAT AND POULTRY PROCESSING? uncertainties in the global
seafood trade, India has been
● India has the world’s largest population of able to cling on to its position
livestock. as a leading supplier of frozen
shrimp and frozen fish in the
● India produces around 5.3 million MT of Meat international markets. “With a
and 75 bn eggs annually. string of initiatives and policy
support, we intend to achieve
● India is the largest producer of buffalo meat and an export target of $10 billion by 2022,” says MPEDA
2nd largest producer of goat meat. chairman A. Jayathilak.

● The current processing levels in poultry are 6%, “India is moving towards the second phase of
while for meat it stands at 21%. growth which will be driven more by value addition.
As we move from a commodity driven business
● Poultry is a highly vertically integrated industry to more of a value added
in India and matches the efficiency levels of business it is easy for a listed
many western countries. company ,which is more
transparent and has better
● Government of India has taken steps for corporate governance, to do
modernization of municipal abattoirs to provide business with leading global
safe and hygienic meat to consumers. companies,” says Nekkanti
Venkat Rao, Managing
● Export oriented units have invested significantly Director of Nekkanti Sea
in establishment of large abattoirs-cum-meat Foods.
processing plants with the latest technology.
Taking advantage of the opportunities four Indian
● Farm automation, abattoirs, logistics, processing seafood companies are trying to cash in on the
and point of sale cold storage infrastructure booming shrimp exports by going for an IPO. In last
are an opportunity in India, given the changing few years, Indian seafood exports have been recouping
preference of Indian consumers for clean, safe losses suffered due to the punitive tariff imposed by the
and hygienic meat and meat products. US in 2004 and the decline in capture fisheries with the
help of vannamei shrimp production, which is cheaper
Source: YES Bank than the traditional black tiger.

40,000 families that are dependent on the rearing of
these animals in Gujarat and Rajasthan,” says Noor Adil,
President, Livestock Association Gujarat.

Furthermore, Noor says, the Indian exporters would
lose their reputation in the key UAE markets of Dubai
and Sharjah. “Buyers will that Indian have cheated them
as some of us have also taken advance.”

 SEA FOOD

Compared to goat meat, sea food sector of the country
performed well in the financial year 2017-18. For the
first time, India’s seafood exports crossed $7 billion
to touch $7.08 billion while its shipments touched
13,77,244 tons during the financial year 2017-18. In
rupee terms, the exports of marine products were at Rs
45,106.89 crore as against Rs 37,870.90 crore in 2016-17
registering a growth of 19.11 per cent. Frozen shrimp
and frozen fish continued to be the flagship export
items. The figures were released by the Marine Products
Exports Development Authority (MPEDA). The US and
South East Asia continued to be the major importers of
Indian seafood with a share of 32.76 per cent and 31.59
per cent, followed by the EU (15.77 per cent), Japan
(6.29 per cent), Middle East (4.10 per cent) and China
(3.21 per cent).

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in TRENDS 35

MEAT AND POULTRY China, Vietnam and Thailand was hit by early mortality
PRODUCTION IN INDIA syndrome disease.

Species Percentage (%) Currently, the US is the largest importer of Indian
shrimps, clocking a compound annual growth rate of
Poultry 36 26 per cent in the past five years. However, realisations
from the US have started to taper due to a pile-up of
Buffalo 22 inventory, Crisil said. The impact of declining demand
is already visible as international shrimp prices traded 7
Goat 18 per cent lower between December 2017 and February
2018 from a year ago. Prices fell by 11 per cent in March
Pig 9 and are poised to decline further.

Sheep 8 “Right now, the situation
is tricky as the US retailers
Others 6 have reduced prices. But
once consumption improves
Source: Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DAHD) there, demand will go up,”
says Tara Ranjan Patnaik,
Nekkanti Sea Foods, Devi Sea Foods and Sandhya vice president of the Kochi-
Marines have filed Draft Red Herring prospectuses with based Seafood Exporters
capital markets regulator SEBI. Another company, Devi Association of India.
Fisheries, is also reported to be planning for a public
listing. Most of the leading shrimp exporters are based Future ahead
in Andhra Pradesh where majority of the farms are
located. Apart from goat meat sector, the poultry and the sea
food sector performed majestically well. But now
Challenges there is a big question on sustaining the position
and keep the profits high. The experts feel that even
After two years of robust growth, India’s seafood government needs to draw back the stringent policies
exports may ease in 2018-19 due to an increase in that are acting as a hurdle especially, in case livestock
supply of shrimps, sluggish purchases by the US and exports. Still this sector has a long way to go but a shift
the impact of higher anti-dumping duty, according to in the country’s denizens’ eating habit has certainly
Crisil Research. strengthen domestic meat supply market and this can
prove a catalyst in this trade.
Growth in India’s seafood export revenue may drop
to 17- 18 per cent in 2018-19, the research house said
in its latest report. That compares with growth of 21and
31 per cent in the previous two financial years, which
was triggered by a crunch in supply as production in

36 Q&A NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Dr R.K. Sanghavi "FSSAI needs to focus
on approving of more
Chairman, Nutraceutical and more ingredients"
Committee, Indian
Drugs Manufacturing
Association (IDMA)

Dr R.K. Sanghavi, a practicing physician What are the burning issues that the
in Mumbai for near 35 years has been nutraceutical industry is facing currently?
appointed for 2019 as Chairman of the
Nutraceutical Committee of Indian Drugs We had many burning issues in the past but now we
Manufacturing Association (IDMA) for have ably smoothened out many of these. Many hurdles
the 8th successive year. Closely involved were experienced whilst making products available, with
in Nutraceutical segment since 30 years Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
and greatly responsible for the wide having earlier judging product safety via approval
acceptance of such health supplements mechanism instead of stressing and imposing on testing
in India, Dr Sanghavi has delivered talks of marketed products. This product approval, including
on Nutraceuticals products at various for combination products, is meaningless from safety
summits and conferences. NuFFooDS perspective. Efficacy wise the rationality is the industry’s
Spectrum got in touch with Dr Sanghavi, prerogative since they cannot otherwise expect product
an experienced professional who also acceptance until and unless the nutraceuticals and
represents the healthcare industry in various supplements match perceived expectations of the
courts in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and the consumers.
Supreme Court as well, to fight against
unjust Government policies pertaining to FSSAI needs to focus on approving of more and
Nutraceutical products. Edited excerpts more ingredients as currently there are <1000 listed
under various schedules. More than 4,000 ingredients
are commonly incorporated in many available over-
the-counter (OTC) products around the globe, and
each and every one of these needs to be ‘standardized’.
Recently FSSAI has rejected some very commonly used
ingredients such as vanadium, Saw palmetto besides
many others. If a human being can consume a product
incorporating these ingredients whilst in U.S., why not
have it here? Why can a human being not consume a
particular product in India and the same human being
can go abroad and consume the same product safely?

Also, if there is a need for a particular ingredient
containing product any consumer can procure
the same from another country for personal use
-one does not need any prescription to buy it.
There is a provision under the Food Safety and
Standards (FSS) Act (FSSA) that every ingredient
approved / listed in Codex Alimentarius (Food
Code) or any other similar international body

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in Q&A 37

should be automatically approved by FSSAI. Codex CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION (CAC)
Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has appointed India to HAS APPOINTED INDIA TO FACILITATE
facilitate acceptance of Codex by countries in our region; ACCEPTANCE OF CODEX BY COUNTRIES IN
strangely, the same is yet to be implemented by FSSAI! OUR REGION; STRANGELY, THE SAME IS YET
In fact, one of the prime responsibilities of the National TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY FSSAI! IN FACT,
Codex Committee (NCC) is to promote Codex activities ONE OF THE PRIME RESPONSIBILITIES
throughout the country. FSSAI needs to re-think on OF THE NATIONAL CODEX COMMITTEE
this issue and fast track incorporating Codex listed (NCC) IS TO PROMOTE CODEX ACTIVITIES
ingredients on a fast-track. THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. FSSAI NEEDS
TO RE-THINK ON THIS ISSUE AND FAST
Another concern was that of permitting ingredients TRACK INCORPORATING CODEX LISTED
quantities exceeding RDA (Recommended Dietary INGREDIENTS ON A FAST-TRACK.
Allowance) and upto specified tolerable upper limit (UL).
If one takes vitamins / minerals only up to RDA, it is like an important reality, nutraceutical industry will indeed
walking on a cliff, you can fall anytime if you go fasting, be the next growth driver in healthcare industry.
or have poor nutrient food even for a single day as you
don’t get enough nourishment. Thankfully, FSSAI has What are your suggestions for the growth of
issued a circular, which is yet to be gazette, permitting this sector?
incorporating ingredients up to upper limit in one
category i.e. FSDU. It would be consumer-beneficial if We want more and more ingredients to be standardized
this relaxation is available across the categories listed and be incorporated under the various respective
under the FSSA and there is no requirement of any pre- schedules in the FSSA. Another constraint is the
approval of product and / or its claim or justification. provision in the FSSA that a new ingredient does not
get accepted until it is present for 30 years in country of
In your opinion, are local Indian origin and 15 years in India which is not only impractical
manufacturers facing a tough competition but also unrealistic and counterproductive for consumer
from International brands? well-being. This effectively implies that if one has to
get a ‘novel’ ingredient approved to the same needs
I do not think so. International brands are by and large
not FSSAI compliant i.e. they either had ingredients not
standardized or having quantities exceeding 1x RDA;
hence, many International brands had to either withdraw
or had to be reformulated. Many Indian manufacturers
have entered this segment: some are into sports
nutrition and some are into protein manufacturing and
they are doing pretty well. There is one known Food
Business Operator (FBO) based out of Mumbai that has
an offtake of 70-80 metric tons of such sports nutrition
products yearly.

What is current scenario and what trends do
you see in this sector?

More and more pharma companies are entering the
healthcare vertical of nutraceuticals. No one could
foresee the rapid growth of India's nutraceutical market
at the outset, but Indian consumers took to the trend
fairly quickly. The Indian nutraceuticals market is
estimated at around $ 4 billion (Rs 28k crore) in 2017 and
is expected to grow at a significant 21 per cent CAGR
to $ 10 billion (Rs 70k crore) in 2022. This will likely be
fueled by a significant 25 per cent per annum growth
in functional beverages market accompanied by similar
potential growth from the other segments. As pharma
industry has plentiful of regulatory challenges, as well as
positive health acceptance by Indians is fast becoming

38 Q&A NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

to have proof of its consumption for 30 long years in of 10 capsules for each day. And the patient became
another country by humans; that means, as Indians, we progressively better and survived for a long time than
have to wait for next 30 years to have such ingredient predicted initially! There are many such affections for
locally available whilst we can merrily go on procuring which nutraceuticals would provide an answer if allopathic
a product containing the same from overseas OTC therapeutics have constraints. For aging-related joint pain,
markets! Even for drugs, the Drug Controller General for eczema, etc. apt answers are available.
of India [DCG(I)] is considering omitting unnecessary
clinical trials if the same molecule has been available Can you name some major players in the
for 2 years! Hence, in this respect, the FSSA requires market of nutraceuticals?
appropriate re-visiting.
Nutraceutical companies are divided into two segments
What are your major achievements in i.e. companies that manufacture and companies
this sector as a Chairman of Nutraceutical that market. Companies doing both are very handful
Committee? and these include primarily the MNCs. Many pharma
companies sell nutraceuticals but do not have a
As chairman of Nutraceutical Committee of IDMA since dedicated nutraceutical division but there are certain
last 7 years the endeavor has been to facilitate growth of companies which have 5-10 nutraceutical products that
the sector and proliferation of nutraceuticals and health are primarily nutritionals (vitamins, minerals, proteins)
supplements so that Indian consumers have a healthier but they are not engage in marketing nutraceuticals
living. Scrapping of the product approval system has (omega-3, glucosamine, etc.) per se. From the marketing
been a one big achievement, and any future effort perspective, companies like Amway, Herbalife are known
to bring such controls, by any means, would not be a for their Multi-level marketing (MLM), expertise; Abbott
welcome step for this segment’s health. Another major Nutrition, GSK Consumer Health Care and Biadynath
achievement is having additional 63 ingredients listed Group engage in direct customer / consumer approach
under the FSSA schedules and this on-going effort will model. From Indian sector, there are recognized players
hopefully result in compounding the standardizing in such as Premier, Lupin, Pharmed, Mankind, Sun, IPCA,
due course of time. Fourrts, to name a few. Dominant FBOs exclusively
engaged in manufacturing of nutraceuticals and
What role in your opinion, can nutraceuticals supplements include Vital Neutraceuticals, Geltec,
play in curing lifestyle diseases? Tirupati, Akums.

As a doctor I would like to mention in my personal What opportunities do you see for the
capacity, that there are many patients to whom we nutraceutical industry in 2019?
cannot offer any therapeutic relief or respite, and with
appropriate nutraceuticals’intervention the benefits Phenomenal, as pharma industry is facing challenges
could be immense. There are many affections that have galore in conventional healthcare domain. Nutraceutical
management challenges from doctor’s perspective for e.g. is indeed the rising star in healthcare and can add to a
liver cirrhosis (alcoholic person). I had referred one such formidable vertical in this space. If companies do not
patient to a gastroenterologist who was ultimately advised today embrace nutraceuticals they could lag behind
to enjoy his balance life in his hometown! When this over the years. The global Nutraceuticals Product Market
patient’s wife in desperation sought my advice, I suggested was valued at around $383.06 billion (Rs 27 lakh crore) in
phospholipids and instructed to take appropriate amounts 2017 and is expected to reach around $578.23 billion (Rs
41 lakh crore) by 2025. India had 1 per cent of the market
share of global segment, and this has today enlarged
to 1.5 per cent; this is projected to go up to 2 per cent
of world nutraceutical market. If the Asia-Pacific market
is considered, the largest player is Japan, followed by
China and then India (32% vs 22% vs 18% market share
respectively). The Asia-Pacific nutraceuticals market is
estimated to witness a Compound Annual Growth Rate
(CAGR) of 7.5 per cent during the forecast period (2018-
2023), and Indian nutraceutical market can only leap
upwards!

Prapti Shah
[email protected]

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in Q&A 39

“Sports nutrition is a relatively Carl Seletz
nascent category in India”
Senior Vice President
Guardian Healthcare, one of the largest health and wellness supplement of International, GNC
retailers in India and master franchisee for General Nutrition Center (GNC)

products in India has initiated local product manufacturing to further
provide Indian consumers with premium, high-quality GNC products at an

affordable price. Carl Seletz, Senior Vice President of International at GNC
who was in India for this initiative spoke with NuFFooDS Spectrum about
his views on enhancing the sports nutrition ecosystem in India and plans

for the company for 2019. Edited excerpts;

Please tell us about your partnerships with AMP Gold Ultra Rush is our top selling pre-workout that
Guardian Healthcare helps customers feel energized and power through their
training. AMP Gold BCAA (Blue Raspberry) is the top-
Customers are always at the forefront of our minds selling amino acid product. AMP Gold Series will expand
here at GNC, and we take great pride in providing in 2019 with new products, which we fully expect to be
them with innovative solutions for their wellness just as successful as Whey Gold Advanced, Ultra Rush,
regimen. Our partners at Guardian Healthcare share the and Gold BCAA—in India and around the world. We
same consumer-focused mindset and recognized an launched BodyDynamix in 2018 for customers seeking
opportunity to better serve our global customers. GNC a weight management solution, and Beyond Raw for
India is providing Indian consumers with authentic GNC those seeking GNC’s most scientifically advanced sports
products with the best quality, potency, and purity while nutrition products. Both of these brands represent
remaining cognizant of cost. some of our most “cutting edge” products. In addition,
foundational products like Mega Men and Women’s
What is the company's current hold on the Ultra Mega and GNC Fish Oils continue to sell well across
fitness supplement market in India? Are you segments. These products are essential components of
facing any challenges? any fitness regimen.

Currently, sports nutrition products make up more than Are you planning to launch any new ones?
30 per cent of the GNC assortment in India. In an effort
to aid our success and continue to stay competitive in We plan to expand our sports nutrition line-up with new
the growing market, we successfully launched a local products targeting the endurance athlete. Stay tuned!
manufacturing initiative to produce sports nutrition
products at a competitive price, which has allowed GNC What are your views on enhancing the sports
India to expand its sports nutrition assortment. Because nutrition ecosystem in India?
we have forged partnerships with sports nutrition
stores and gyms, we can now begin to shift our focus to Sports nutrition is a relatively nascent category in
marketing brands like Beyond Raw to reach our fitness- India. There is a need to bust myths around sports
focused target customer. Influencers like John Abraham nutrition by creating awareness and education about
have been invaluable in increasing awareness of brands supplementation. Guardian Healthcare and GNC are
and products as well as breaking into different channels— working together to achieve this by working with trainers,
especially gyms with personal trainer outreach. nutritionists, and sports federations.

Which are the major products available in the What are the company's major plans for 2019?
Indian market?
GNC India will continue to expand its presence with new
Our top-selling GNC brand targeting the fitness segment products and by leveraging multiple channels— such as
in 2018 was GNC AMP Gold Series. GNC AMP 100 per cent franchise stores, stand-alone supplement outlets, large
Whey Gold Advanced is GNC India’s #1 selling protein. pharmacy chains, relevant modern retail, and, finally,
Customers use this quality whey protein blend to support e-commerce.
post-workout recovery and to boost their protein intake
throughout the day to support their fitness routine. Milind Kokje
[email protected]

40 SUPPLIER NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

i2r launches ground Tate & Lyle launches new
project for stevia sustainability
breaking foil tray design
Tate & Lyle PLC (Tate & Lyle), a leading global provider of
UK based i2r Packaging Solutions has unveiled an food and beverage ingredients and solutions, together
innovative aluminium smoothwall product that with its stevia partner Sweet Green Fields, has announced
is set to shake-up the food packaging industry. a new research project to assess the sustainability of
The company operates as part of the Laminazione the stevia sweetener supply chain. Earthwatch, an
Sottile Group – a leading global supplier of independent, international non-profit environmental
aluminium products. The group supplies science-based organisation, is leading the stevia supply
aluminium trays to the UK, Europe, the Middle chain review, which aims to identify steps to ensure that
East, North America, Asia and Australia. The as the stevia market grows, sustainable growing practices
patent protected and design registered, i2r Ultra, are embedded consistently and socio-economic benefits
uses a new style of embossing to dramatically are maximised. Tate & Lyle, in partnership with Sweet
increase stress resistance thereby reducing the Green Fields and Earthwatch, will use the research insights
gauge, price point and environmental impact of to establish and spread sustainability best practice across
the product. i2r partnered with Wolverhampton its stevia supply chains and beyond. Earthwatch-led local
University to progress the detailed and complex scientists have begun conducting on-the-ground research
project, utilising finite element analysis prediction in China to evaluate the socio-environmental impacts of
software; the stronger, yet lightweight tray stevia production, including analysing soil, water, waste,
design has subsequently undergone significant and energy impacts, as well as the effect on farming
independent scientific testing and validation. communities. Earthwatch will engage with a wide range
of stakeholders in the stevia supply chain, from seedling
producers to family-run planters and industrial farms.

Givaudan opens flavours manufacturing facility in Pune

Givaudan, the world’s leading customers in the food and beverage by becoming the Company’s first
flavour and fragrance company, and health care segments. The Zero Liquid Discharge site which
has officially inaugurated a new new facility will complement the ensures all waste water is purified
Flavours manufacturing facility Company’s existing plant in Daman, and recycled at the end of the
in Pune, India. The CHF 60 million strengthening its capabilities in treatment cycle. Energy efficient
plant is the Company's largest liquids compounding, powder LED lighting technology has also
investment in India and further blending, emulsions, process been fitted throughout the site to
proof of its commitment to flavours and spray drying for reduce CO2 emissions and plans are
leverage growth potential in Asia the India, Nepal and Bangladesh under development to incorporate
Pacific. Designed to deliver a markets. Givaudan expects to solar panels, contributing towards
superior level of flavour and taste employ about 200 people at the Givaudan’s 100 per cent renewable
solutions, the new 40,000 square new site. The new facility is also energy target. Over 1,100 trees have
metre facility will enable Givaudan making important contributions to also been planted to support the
to meet growing demand from Givaudan’s Climate Action Agenda preservation of the local ecosystem.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in SUPPLIER NEWS 41

Sealed Air Corporation expands Agilent unveils
food packaging operations in Asia
new facility in
US based Sealed Air Corporation has and supports companies in Australia,
acquired MGM’s flexible packaging Brunei Darussalam, and New Zealand. Mumbai
business. MGM is a privately held Sealed Air plans to leverage MGM’s
company headquartered in Manila, expertise to expand its printing and Agilent Technologies Inc.
the Philippines. The transaction is lamination capabilities and better has announced the opening
expected to close in April. Founded in serve customers throughout the Asia of a new facility or Centre of
1982, MGM specializes in printing and Pacific region. Sealed Air has had a Excellence (CoE) in Mumbai
laminating and provides flexible food presence in the Philippines for more dedicated to developing
packaging materials for consumer than 20 years and employs more than integrated, end-to-end
packaged goods markets in Southeast 2,000 people in Asia. MGM employs workflow solutions for
Asia. The company also exports to 150 people. supporting diversified end
markets including pharma,
Tetra Pak brings colour digital biopharma, and food
testing. The Agilent CoE in
printing for carton packages Mumbai is a state-of-the-art
laboratory established with
Tetra Pak is to become the first company in the food and beverage carton the purpose of meeting
industry to offer full-colour digital printing on its carton packages, working the increasing demand
in collaboration with Koenig & Bauer, a global leader in the field. The digital for next generation lean
printing technology will simplify the complexity of design handling, reducing laboratories, delivering
time from design to print and opening up new opportunities for flexibility in higher productivity, more
order placement and product customisation. Beverage brands can take efficiency, and providing
advantage of added benefits like dynamic on-package higher-quality data. The
printing and the ability to include a variety of Agilent CoE at Mumbai is
designs within the same order. The full-width digital the third CoE lab in India,
printer is currently being built adding to two already
by Koenig & Bauer and will be established in Manesar and
installed at Tetra Pak’s converting Bangalore respectively.
plant at Denton, Texas. Field This new CoE will also
testing of the new, digitally- enable a strong, local
printed carton packages is touch point for Agilent
expected to begin in early 2020 customers in the region to
with North American customers. interact with well-qualified
subject matter experts,
representing Agilent’s entire
portfolio range. The facility
is equipped with Agilent’s
new products, software,
and chemistries providing
a wide range of application
support to life science and
applied markets. Agilent
has strong focus on skills
development activities, this
CoE will offer customers
comprehensive training
and hands-on experience of
instruments, lab informatics,
good laboratory practices,
and advanced analytical
workflows.

42 PEOPLE NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Dr Deepa Marico India appoints
Bhajekar Koshy George as CMO
receives
recognition Marico Limited has appointed diverse categories such as
in Dubai Koshy George as Chief Marketing personal care, home care, and
Officer (CMO), Marico India. In foods. He started his career
Dr Deepa Bhajekar, Director, d his new role, Koshy George will with Marico India in 2001 as a
technology recently received be responsible for leading the Management Trainee and was
an award in the Scientist brand marketing initiatives of an Area Sales Manager before
in Business category at the the Company. He will report to moving to Hindustan Unilever.
Women Excellence Awards Saugata Gupta, MD and CEO His most recent role was Global
2019 event, which took place and will be a part of Marico’s Marketing Director - Skin
in Dubai. The award was Executive Committee. Koshy Cleansing. During his tenure
presented to her by Amruta George brings with him more with Unilever, Koshy has worked
Fadnavis, Vice-President, than 17 years of sales and across building and transforming
Corporate Head, Axis Bank. Dr marketing experience across various brands and categories.
Deepa started d technology in
2015 focusing on technological ITC elevates Amitav Mukherji as
solutions in the food sector. corporate HR Head
The company also provides
advisory services in domain ITC has elevated Amitav Mukherji as head of corporate human resources (HR),
areas such as processed foods, continuing with its trend of appointing younger executives in leadership
milk and dairy, spices, herbs, roles. Mukherji is succeeding R Sridhar who superannuated earlier this
condiments, beverages, juices, month. Mukherji is an economics graduate
nutraceuticals, ingredients, and holds management degrees from XLRI,
additives to name a few. Before Jamshedpur, and Cornell University. He has
setting up d technology, Dr cross-functional experience such as sales and
Deepa had set up MicroChem brand management, and was head of HR of
the foods business in his last role. He is also
Laboratory, one of actively involved in designing and teaching
India’s premier at learning and development programmes at
food testing the corporate level. Mukherji’s appointment
providers, in is in line with ITC chairman YC Deveshwar’s
2000. plan to appoint younger executives in the top management. Over the past
two years, ITC has appointed a number of executives in their late 40s or
early 50s in top roles.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in ACADEMIC NEWS 43

ICRISAT CFTRI conducts skill development
programme on baking technology
finalises
Mysuru based CSIR-CFTRI (Central is currently running a programme to
5-year Food Technological Research benefit the unorganised baking sector.
Institute) is in the process of launching The proposed skill development
action plan Skill Development Programmes (SDP) programme focuses on important
such as baking technology, food areas of baking and healthy baked
A five-year plan for Indian safety and analysis and in Industrial products. The course will be helpful to
agricultural research has machinery for food processing those who are interested in working
been finalised with the industries, with an objective to train in small and medium baking units
signing of a Memorandum more and more young individuals across the country. CSIR-CFTRI also
of Agreement (MoA) and entrepreneurs who may make conducts a 10 month course on Flour
between one of the largest out a living in this ever expanding, Milling at its International School of
national agricultural everlasting industry, viz., food Milling Technology (ISMT). This school
research, education and industry. In tune with the National is one of its kind in the world and the
extension systems in Mission of transforming India as the course attracts many students from
the world, the Indian skill capital of the world, the institute India and abroad every session.
Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR), and PAU organizes training
the International Crops on safe processing of jaggery
Research Institute for
the Semi-Arid Tropics A second training programme in a series of planned activities for creating
(ICRISAT). This plan will awareness about Safe Processing of Sugarcane Juice to quality Jaggery was
focus on technologies conducted by the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, PAU at the
especially suited to harsh Jacob hall of College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology recently. More
conditions of the drylands, than 130 farmers and jaggery producers from different districts of the state
covering grain legumes attended this programme. Bhupinder Singh, a prominent jaggery processor from
and dryland cereals –
groundnut, chickpea, Bargari shared his experience and ideas about marketing of jaggery.
pigeonpea, finger and Dr J S Mahal, Director of Extension Education PAU, informed
pearl millet and sorghum. that this training programme has been planned on the
The MoA representing recommendation of K S Pannu, Food Commissioner, Punjab.
action plans for 2019 to He elaborated that since a number of jaggery makers from
2023 was signed by Dr other states come to Punjab and produce jaggery along
Trilochan Mohapatra, the road side, it is important that these jaggery
Secretary, Department manufacturers be enlightened about its
of Agricultural Research safe processing so that the public gets an
and Education (DARE) and unadulterated supply of this traditional
Director General (DG) ICAR, Punjabi sweetener.
and Dr Peter Carberry,
Director General (DG) of
ICRISAT. The DGs of both
organizations highlighted
the longstanding
partnerships between
ICRISAT and ICAR and
emphasized convergence
on mutually enriching
collaborations to evolve,
lead and innovate in
agricultural technologies.

44 SCIENCE NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

GBPUA&T identifies proteins linked with wheat infection

Researchers at G. B. Pant University of plant to cause the disease. Using high
Agriculture and Technology (GBPUA&T), throughput proteomic and genomic
Pantnagar and Rani Lakshmi Bai Central analysis techniques, researchers have
Agriculture University, Jhansi have identified a total of 44 proteins that could
identified various proteins in genetic be playing different roles in development
make-up of the fungus Tilletia indica, of the disease. One of the proteins
which causes the Karnal Bunt disease in identified is malate dehydrogenase. It
wheat, and infects the crop. For developing helps produce oxaloacetate, which is a
disease-resistant wheat cultivars, it is precursor of oxalic acid, a key element in
necessary to know molecular mechanisms phytopathogenic fungi like Tilletia indica
by which the fungus interacts with wheat that makes them cause diseases.

Non-obese Indians SLIETs
prone to type 2 diabetes
develop
A recent study has found out that that the persons included in the
not only obese and overweight but study had, by and large, features biodegradable
also non-obese and lean persons of adiposity characterised by high
may be prone to type 2 diabetes. body fat, abdominal fat and fatty film from lotus
Researchers measured insulin levels liver condition, which may not be
of 87 diabetics (67 men and 20 visible from outside. The study stem starch
women) and also C-peptide levels. concluded that non-obese and
According to the study, C-peptide even lean Indians have high body A team of scientists from
gets secreted at a more constant fat, excess fat in liver and skeletal Sant Longowal Institute of
rate across time durations as muscles and lesser skeletal muscle Engineering & Technology
compared to the insulin secretion. mass. In particular, they have (SLIET) in Punjab has developed
Also, C-peptide levels are more ectopic fat in liver (non-alcoholic a biodegradable film using
stable compared to insulin level (its fatty liver disease) and pancreas lotus stem starch, whey protein
half-life is nearly six times that of (non-alcoholic pancreas disease), concentrate, and psyllium husk
insulin) which facilitates testing of which may contribute to insulin that has high structural integrity
beta cells’ response, the study has resistance leading to diabetes even and low solubility. Starch can
pointed out. The results revealed in young age. form continuous matrix and has
been considered an important
polymer due to low cost and
renewability. To minimize the
use of petroleum-based plastics,
there has been an increase
in the research to develop
biodegradable packaging
materials using natural agro-
based polymers. The film is
white and transparent and can
be used to visualise the products
that are packaged, hence
promoting higher product
acceptability by consumers.
Such biodegradable films can
find application in food coatings,
encapsulations, probiotic
coatings, drug delivery systems,
and edible packaging materials.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in SCIENCE NEWS 45

IISER reveals unique composition DNA variants
of Indian gut microbiome
significantly influence
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and
Research (IISER) Bhopal have decoded the Indian gut microbiome body fat distribution
and have created a gene catalogue. Constructed using multiple
omics approaches such as A new breakthrough from the Genetic
genomics and proteomics, the Investigation of Anthropometric Traits
catalogue contains details on (GIANT) Consortium, which includes
the different genes coded by the many public health researchers from
gut bacteria and the functions the University of North Carolina
carried out by the bacteria. at Chapel Hill in the US, identifies
This study also compared the multiple genetic variants associated
gut microbiome of Indians with how the body regulates and
with people in China, the US distributes body-fat tissue. The new
and Denmark. The Indian gut findings broaden the understanding
microbiome showed higher levels of Prevotella bacteria compared of how genes can predispose certain
to the other populations. The presence of these species in high individuals to obesity. The GIANT
abundance in Indian gut microbiome correlates with the food Consortium is a major international
habits and the diet of the Indian population, which is very different collaboration of more than 275
from the other western populations. scientists that seeks to identify genetic
sites that affect human body size and
shape, including height and measures
of obesity.

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Communications Pvt Ltd Name : Mr. Jagdish Balkrishna Patankar
Address : B-55, Mahavir Park Society,
“Ashirwad”, 1st Floor, 36/A/2,
Pune - Satara Road, Pune – 411037.
S. No. 270, Pallod Farms,

Baner Road, Pune – 411 045. Name : Mr. Ravindra Vidyadhar Boratkar
Address : 402, Siddhivinayak Apartment, Khare Town,
4. Publisher’s Name : Mr. Ravindra Vidyadhar Boratkar
Dharam Peth, Nagpur – 440010.

Whether Citizen of India : Yes Name : Mr. Vijay Padmakar Thombre
Address : 1, Sagar Apartment, 6 Mahaganesh Society,
Address : MM Activ Sci-Tech
Paud Road, Kothrud, Pune – 411038.
Communications Pvt Ltd

“Ashirwad”, 1st Floor, 36/A/2,

S. No. 270, Pallod Farms, Sd/-
Publisher
Baner Road, Pune – 411 045.

46 EVENT REPORT NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

India International Seaweed Expo & Summit 2019

“Government of India wants to
promote the Seaweed sector”

Mayank Jalan, Sr. Vice President, ICC welcoming the huge potential of Seaweed industry as well the usage,
dignitaries highlighted the huge potential of Seaweed industry i.e. in Food, Medical, Pesticide, Pharmaceutical, Fertilizer
at the India International Seaweed Expo & Summit 2019 held sector etc. He also mentioned the current development
at Mumbai on January 22. of Seaweed Industry in India and globally, i.e. $ 26 billion
globally. China, Korea and Japan are ahead of Seaweed
“Government of India wants to promote the Industry. India has huge potential to cater the Seaweed
Seaweed sector and NITI Aayog is inviting the Industry in terms of Production, Export and Employment
proposals from Seaweed Industry to discuss generation. However there is a primary knowledge gap in
and take that forward,” said Dr Anil Pratap Singh, Adviser terms of how to enter into this industry, export assistance
(Agriculture), NITI Aayog, Government of India. etc.

Dr Anil Pratap Singh was speaking at the India Dr Amitava Das, Director, CSIR-CSMCRI mentioned
International Seaweed Expo & Summit 2019 – a 3 days in his brief speech that this is the first effort to bring all
event held at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai from the stakeholders of Seaweed Industry in one platform.
January 22-24, 2019 organised by Indian Chamber of He thoroughly explained the Seaweed parameters and
commerce (ICC) in collaboration with Central Salt & classifications.
Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) and in
partnership with NITI Aayog, supported by Department of Mahadev Jagannath Jankar, Minister, Department of
Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Food Processing Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra emphasized on the
Industries (MoFPI), National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) initiative of the State Government to give training for the
and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). youth and women as well as to develop the infrastructure
for the development of Seaweed Industry in the state.
Dr Anil Pratap Singh, also said that there are only 14-
15 companies in India dealing with Seaweed Industry. Dr Rajeev Singh, Director General, ICC gave thanks to
Government of India wants to promote this sector and all the dignitaries and the invitees to attend and made
NITI Aayog is inviting the proposals from Seaweed this initiative a successful one. This is the first International
Industry to discuss and take that forward. Conference in India on Seaweed Sector organized by
Indian Chamber of Commerce, where 14 Seaweed Experts
This is the first ever comprehensive initiative focusing across the globe attended and will deliver, interact their
on the Seaweed sector. This Expo & the conference will expertise. Dr Singh mentioned in his speech that Seaweed
explore the ocean of opportunities in this sunrise sector. is the upcoming sunrise sector in India.
The seaweed sector holds immense potential for creating
new business opportunities for private sector companies, The market for seaweed is huge and exploring the
coastal farmers, R&D institutions etc. opportunities in India would be of great importance
and its applications in Agriculture, Nutraceutical, Food,
In the Inaugural Session, Mayank Jalan, Sr. Vice Pharmaceutical, Fertilizer, Cosmetic and Textile Industries
President, ICC welcoming the dignitaries highlighted the would be a game changer for Indian economy as a whole.
Domestic cultivation of selected seaweeds will greatly
reduce high import costs and generate employment
while taking the “Make in India” vision further.

Cultivation of seaweeds is growing rapidly in Europe,
America, Canada and Asia. China is the largest seaweed
producer followed by the Republic of Korea and Japan.
The potential of seaweed is vast and Government of India
& State Governments is promoting as a priority sector.
India has a vast coastal line with over 800 species of
seaweed but the commercial scale production has yet to
commence. The south and west coasts of India have over
200 species of seaweed alone and cultivation is at a micro
level compared to other Asian countries.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in EVENT REPORT 47

“Nutrition will not succeed till people
are committed to transformation”
With an aim to improve nutritional choices and
enhance dietary diversity of India, the NITI Amitabh
Aayog, in collaboration with National Centre of Kant, CEO,
Excellence and Advanced Research on Diets (NCEAR-D), NITI Aayog
UNICEF India and Lady Irwin College, organised a National addressing
Workshop on “Promoting Healthy Diets Through Local the gathering
Food Systems” in New Delhi on February 20. at a National
Workshop on
The inaugural session of the workshop was addressed “Promoting
by Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, Rakesh Srivastava, Healthy Diets
Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Through
Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR, Local Food
Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF Representative in India Systems” in
and Dr Anupa Sidhu, Director, Lady Irwin College and New Delhi on
Chairperson, NCEAR-D. February 20.

In his address, Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, on of State Governments, UN agencies such as UNICEF and
the need to promote healthy diets says “Nutrition will FAO, and development partners operating at the district
not succeed till the people of India are committed to level. It also included over 40 academic institutions (Home
transformation. We need more hands and support on science colleges, food, nutrition and extension education
ground to ensure a healthy diet reaches all.” He also departments of Agriculture universities) from across 16
says “We'll never get the benefit of the demographic states, apart from eminent academics and experts who
advantage if we don't fix the issue of malnutrition. Today's shared implementation strategies and innovative success
workshop will be a big catalyst & driving force in making a stories. The Aspirational Districts Dietary fact sheets
radical change to transforming nutrition in India.” were released during the Workshop which will help both
academicians and policy makers in examining the gaps
Speaking at the workshop, Rakesh Srivastava, in the daily diets of children and mothers of reproductive
Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development age group in terms of recommended dietary intake.
says, “Information and education is critical if we are to The analysis will help the academic institutions to make
move towards a more nutritious and healthy diet”. an Action Plan to fill this gap, which will also be shared
with District administration for collaboration and
“NITI Aayog, through this national workshop is implementation purpose.
bringing together 42 top-food & nutrition, agriculture
food & biotechnology institutions from 16 Indian states to The POSHAN (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme
actively support the biggest mass movement for nutrition for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan is aimed to ensure
- the POSHAN Abhiyaan,”says Dr Yasmin Ali Haque UNICEF attainment of malnutrition free India by 2022. The
Representative in India. programme targets reduction of under-nutrition, anemia
and low birth weight by ensuring convergence of
An exhibition of more than 250 best practices, evidence-based nutrition interventions and by creating a
innovations and local food products developed by various mass movement (Jan Andolan) for food nutrition in India.
agriculture and food technology institutions was another One of the key nutrition interventions to meet these
attraction. Envisaging a convergence between the targets is to improve the quality of daily diets by making
Aspirational Districts programme and POSHAN Abhiyaan, them nutritionally rich and locally sustainable.
the workshop seeks to design institutional collaborations
between academia and State Governments across these The workshop provided a platform to reach a
districts. Under the aegis of POSHAN Abhiyaan, promoting common understanding of diet diversity problems in
consumption and household/community production of Aspirational Districts across India and learn from national
locally available nutritionally rich food resources has been and international examples where nutrition academia
a priority concern. The academic institutions will serve and state governments have collaborated. Academic
as resource centres and Nutrition Support Units to the institutions were also encouraged to frame scientific
Districts and State administration for technical, training, methodologies and prepare achievable action plans with
concurrent monitoring support to achieve the goals of clearly defined indicators.
POSHAN Abhiyaan. The workshop saw the participation

48 EVENT REPORT NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

1st International conference on food safety and nutrition

India showcases its unique model
for food safety at Addis Ababa

Pawan Agarwal, CEO, Food Safety and Standards Authority on Food Safety and Trade, which will focus on
of India (FSSAI) participating in the Panel of Policy Makers interlinkages between food safety and trade, is
and Heads of National Agencies at First FAO/WHO/AU scheduled to be hosted by WTO in Geneva (April
International Food Safety Conference in Ethiopia where 23-24). The two meetings are expected to galvanize
he briefed about the way Authority is creating trust among support and lead to actions in the key areas that are
consumers through various initiatives. strategic for the future of food safety.

Unsafe food is a threat to human health and Food contaminated with bacteria, viruses,
economies globally. Hence first international parasites, toxins or chemicals causes more than 600
conference on food safety and nutrition was million people to fall ill and 420,000 to die worldwide
held on February 12-13 at the headquarters of the every year. Illness linked to unsafe food overloads
African Union at Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. healthcare systems and damages economies, trade
and tourism. The impact of unsafe food costs low-
Greater international cooperation is needed and middle-income economies around $95 billion in
to prevent unsafe food from causing ill health lost productivity each year. Because of these threats,
and hampering progress towards sustainable food safety must be a paramount goal at every
development, world leaders said at the opening stage of the food chain, from production to harvest,
session of the First International Food Safety processing, storage, distribution, preparation and
Conference, organized by the African Union (AU), consumption, conference participants stressed.
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) In the inaugural session, FAO, Director-General
and the World Trade Organization (WTO). José Graziano da Silva remarked that there is no
food security without food safety. He added that
A follow-up event, the International Forum the conference provides a great opportunity for the
international community to strengthen political
commitments and engage in key actions on food
safety.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Directorate
General, WHO said that food should be a source of
nourishment and enjoyment, not a cause of disease
or death. He added that unsafe food is responsible
for hundreds of thousands of deaths every year, but

CHANGING FOOD SYSTEMS

Technological advances, digitalization, novel
foods and processing methods provide a wealth of
opportunities to simultaneously enhance food safety,
and improve nutrition, livelihoods and trade. At the
same time, climate change and the globalization
of food production, coupled with a growing global
population and increasing urbanization, pose
new challenges to food safety. Food systems are
becoming even more complex and interlinked,
blurring lines of regulatory responsibility. Solutions
to these potential problems require intersectoral and
concerted international action.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in EVENT REPORT 49

has not received the political attention it deserves. STRENGTHENED COLLABORATION
Ensuring people have access to safe food takes
sustained investment in stronger regulations, A central theme of the conference is that food
laboratories, surveillance and monitoring. “In our safety systems need to keep pace with the way
globalized world, food safety is everyone’s issue,” he food is produced and consumed. This requires
added. a sustained investment and coordinated, multi-
sectoral approaches for regulatory legislation,
Leading a 4-member Indian delegation for suitable laboratory capacities, and adequate disease
participation in the conference, Pawan Agarwal, CEO, surveillance and food monitoring programmes,
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) all of which need to be supported by information
and speaking in panel of heads of national food technologies, shared information, training and
authorities in the conference said that India’s low education.
cost and effective model of food safety that primarily
focuses on empowering consumers and building a lot of traction amongst low and middle-income
capacities of key stakeholders, has relevance for all countries including African countries during the
low and middle income countries that are struggling conference. Exhibition booth at the conference
to set up system for food safety. In many of these attracted hundreds of regulators from across the
countries, food safety has to compete with their world.
public heath priorities for scarce resources.
The Conference was attended by the WTO
With its large size and a larger share of children Director-General Roberto Azevedo and African Union
and poor, India’s burden of foodborne illnesses Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat. The
is very high. India is one of the first developing first ever conference on food safety convened jointly
countries that have responded to this challenge by by FAO, WHO and WTO along with the African Union
having robust legal and institutional arrangements saw participation of about 800 government officials,
to address food safety issues. India’s Food Safety experts and other stakeholders of food safety and
Authority has evolved its own low cost, high impact public health from around the world.
model.
The aim of the conference was to identify key
India’s 3-P (People, Private Sector and actions that will ensure the availability of, and access
Partnership) model places people first. By engaging to, safe food now and in the future. This will require
with people wherever they are at home, at school, a strengthened commitment at the highest political
at workplaces or when eating out, India’s Food level to scale up food safety in the 2030 Agenda for
Authority has integrated food safety in people’s Sustainable Development.
everyday life in a seamless manner. Through the
recently concluded Swasth Bharat Yatra, the all India With an estimated 600 million cases of foodborne
cycle relay, the profile and visibility of food safety illnesses annually, unsafe food is a threat to human
has gained immensely. By integrating promotion of health and economies globally. Foodborne diseases
healthy diets and controlling food waste in public in low- and middle-income countries costs at least
communication, emotional appeal to embrace food $100 billion a year, with this cost exceeding $500
safety has been enhanced. million for 28 countries, according to a recent World
Bank study. Ongoing changes in climate, global food
Working closely with the private sector, India’s production and supply systems affect consumers,
food authority is ensuring that the food businesses industry and the planet itself: food safety systems
invest adequately in improving the food safety need to keep pace with these changes. The burden
across the supply chain. There is strong emphasis of unsafe food disproportionally affects vulnerable
on capacity building of food supervisors and food and marginalized people and poses sustainability
handlers through structured training programs. Over and development challenges. Despite the growing
100,000 of them have so far been trained. Significant recognition of the fundamental role food safety plays
capacities have been built for lab testing and food in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
safety audit & management in the private sector (SDGs) and the main objectives of the UN Decade
to share responsibility for food safety overall in the of Action on Nutrition, efforts to strengthen food
country. Finally, India’s Food Authority has forged safety systems remain fragmented and the gains,
many partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders particularly in many developing countries, have been
so that everyone is invested in safe food and healthy well below expectations.
diets for all people.

India’s 3P unique model of food safety found

50 EVENT REPORT NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | March 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Union
Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Minister Radha
Mohan Singh
addressing the
gathering at the
Agricultural
Science
Congress in
New Delhi on
February 20.

XIV Agricultural Science Congress

Agri-based start-ups and entrepreneurship
development need promotion
Union Agriculture & Farmers
Welfare Minister Radha provided. Around 12 crore farming is one of the solutions for improving
Mohan Singh has said that families will be directly benefitted farmers' income.The implementation
the Agricultural Science Congress from this scheme. of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sampada
marks the confluence of researchers, Yojana will result in creation of
intellectuals, creativity and the Singh appreciated the role of modern infrastructure with efficient
custodians of global food security. ICAR in launching a mega project supply chain management. It will
In his inaugural address of the 14th called NICRA to address the issues not only provide a big boost to the
Agricultural Science Congress on of climate change through the growth of food processing sector
February 20 in New Delhi he said KVKs, adding that the “Soil Health in the country but also help in
that it is nothing short of an Agri- Card Scheme” has been launched to providing better prices to farmers
Research Kumbh. He stated the improve crop productivity through and is a big step towards doubling
churning of science, technology judicious use of inputs without of farmers’ income. He further said
and knowledge outcomes during deteriorating soil health further. that the agri-based start-ups and
this Congress will be of immense He further said that the IARI has entrepreneurship development
value to the welfare of farmers as developed ‘Pusa Soil Testing and need to be promoted and the Atal
well as humanity. He added that the Fertilizer Recommendation Meter’ Innovation Mission (AIM) including
government recently announced a for facilitating the reach of soil Self-Employment and Talent
new scheme PM-KISAN for assured testing at the farmers’ doorstep. Utilization (SETU) is government’s
income support to the farmers. During the last 4 and a half years, endeavour to promote a culture of
The scheme is being implemented 1014 varieties of different crops were innovation and entrepreneurship.
with effect from December 2018. A developed among which more than Innovations will play a critical role in
direct income support of Rs 6,000 800 varieties are tolerant/resistant to developing solutions and pathways
per annum to the farmers will be biotic and abiotic stresses. for addressing the agrarian
challenges.
The Minister said that value-
addition to agricultural production


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