<p style='text-align:center;'><b>AGRO & FOOD Processing Summit 2017
          Technology - Investment - Infrastructure </b></p>
          <p style='text-align:center;'><b>Venue - Hotel Courtyard Marriott, Bhopal
          </b></p>
          <p style='text-align:center;'><b>Date: 25-May-2017 </b></p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>ASSOCHAM's Madhya Pradesh Council has organized<b> AGRO & FOOD Processing
          Summit 2017 on May 25, 2017 at Hotel Courtyard Marriott, Bhopal, with an
          objective to </b>focus on potential in food processing sector in the state with a view to
          Increase business opportunities and investments</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>SPEAKERS AT THE SUMMIT</b></p>
          <p style='text-align:center;'><b>Inaugural Session -</b></p>  
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Eminent Speakers were -</b></p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>- Shri Surya Prakash Meena,</b> Hon ble Minister of State Dept. of Horticulture and
          Food Processing, Govt. of MP</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>- Shri. Dhaval Raval</b> Chairman, Food Processing & SME Committee,
          ASSOCHAM Western Council</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>- Dr. K. K. Singh,</b> Director, Central Institute of Engineering</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>- Shri. Satyanand,</b> Director, Department of Horticulture& Food Processing, Govt.
          of MP</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>- Shri. Hansmukh Jain Gandhi,</b> President MP Cold Industry Association</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Shri. Surya Prakash Meena,</b> Hon ble Minister of State, Department of Horticulture and
          Food Processing, Govt. of MP was delighted to see an active participation of more
          than 150 delegates from the Agro & Food Processing Industry and informed the
          business community and stakeholders that the Govt of MP has already allocated
          Rs.350 crore worth of fund to set up cold storage chains with a 25 per cent subsidy
          plan to set up the chains. This was in response to the issues the farmers were facing
          in terms of storage of their food produce and vegetables they grow in their farms. He
          briefed the audience that the state is being the leader in food grain production and a
          solid position in horticulture produce it has immense scope for food processing sector.
          He welcomed the investors to come and invest in the state and assured all the help
          from the state government in setting up their projects in Agro & Food Processing
          sector.</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b> Dhaval Raval,</b> Chairman, Food Processing & SME Committee ASSOCHAM
          Western Council started his welcome address by welcoming the Chief Guest and
          dignitaries on the dais with the flower bouquet. Firstly he expressed very warm
          welcome to everyone who had gathered for the Agro & Food Processing SUMMIT
          2017 organized by ASSOCHAM. He briefed the audience about the objective of the
          Summit. He discussed the opportunities & challenges, technological advancements,
          investment opportunities and infrastructure availability to promote Agro & Food
          Processing sector in the State. He also gave an overview of the Agro & Food
          Processing sector and discussed ongoing projects in the State. He also appreciated
          the participants by saying that the enthusiastic participation from across the country
          from Agro & Food Processing industry has made the efforts of ASSOCHAM worth and
          meaningful. Lastly, he wished ASSOCHAM a great success for the session and its
          remarkable contribution towards Agro & Food Processing sector.</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Dr. K. K. Singh</b> Director, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering Congratulated
          ASSOCHAM for its initiative of organizing Agro & Food Processing Sector in Madhya
          Pradesh. He encourages the participants by saying that there is lot of potential in the
          State. He digged into the food production statistics of Madhya Pradesh and said
          although it has increased immensely but said still we are not able to match
          international standards to utilize our production to ensure better returns. He said we
          are far behind China, America and even countries like Philippines and we should try
          to match the international standards and increase more production in this sector.</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b> Shri. Satyanand,</b> Director, Department of Horticulture& Food Processing, Govt. of MP,
          welcomed the initiative of ASSOCHAM for organizing Agro & Food Processing
          SUMMIT in the State for promotion of this sector. He put forth towards the industries
          his views & feedback on how to improve the economic status of farmers in the state.
          He said that by fixing minimum purchase price industry can support the farmers and
          how to motivate organic farming to meet the international standards so that there is
          an increase in exports of the Agro & Food processing commodities. He said tapping
          the international market is very much essential today and we should foucs on quality
          of our food products. The farmers should be encouraged to produce pestcides free
          crops so that it can be easliry sold in the international markets.</p>  
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Shri. Hansmukh Jain Gandhi,</b> President MP Cold Chain Industry Association educated
          the audience on the ample opportunities the State has in terms of Agro & food
          processing products. He stated that the state stands 2
          nd largest in the country in terms
          of area and is the largest producer of soya bean. He was of the opinion that State
          government should come up with plan to help the food producers and farmers
          especially the onion, garlic, tomato and potato farmers. These farmers are facing
          problem due to huge production and inability to sell their produce at profitable
          proposition. If they can have storage facility they can wait for right time to seek better
          price.</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Technical Session -1 Investment & Financing Opportunities in Agro & Food Processing Sector</b></p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Session Chairman - Shri. Satyanand, Director, Department of Horticulture & Food Processing, Govt. of MP</p>

          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Other Speakers - D. K. Puranik,</b> DGM, MP State Agro Industries Development Corporation Ltd </p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Arun Hajela,</b> Horticulture Development Officer, Department of Horticulture & Food Processing, Govt. of MP</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b> Vikash Pandey,</b> Consultant, agro & Food Processing, Malwa Group </p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>M. S.R.K. Murthy, </b>Branch Head & AGM, SIDBI</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Satyanand,</b> Director, Department of Horticulture & Food Processing, Govt. of MP; and session chairman for ASSOCHAMs technical session welcomed other panelists and participants for the Technical session. He gave a presentation on opportunities and advantages in Madhya Pradesh in Agro & Food processing sector. He encouraged the participants by briefing on the government proactiveness in promoting agro & food processing sector. He gave an overview of the states Agro & Food Processing Policy. He emphasized on how horticulture produce can be marketed and made profitable so that the farmers are benefited. Their needs a lot of improvement in the quality & standard of the horticulture produce to meet the international standards he suggested. He also replied to lots of queries and invited suggestions from the participants for the growth of this sector. The session was very interactive as the
          
          audience was very much interested to know about the development in this sector and understand government support.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b> Vikash Pandey,</b> Consultant, Agro & Food Processing, Malwa Group, gave an overview on the Indian scenario of food processing industry and the horticulture and food processing sector advantages in Madhya Pradesh. He said in his presentation that agro & food processing sector in one of the rapidly growing sector in the state exhibiting several distinguished features. He said this sector contributes an average of 32% share f the toral industrial output value in Madhya Pradesh. He also spoke about the robust infrastructure facilities in Madhya Pradesh conducive for investment in this sector.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Adil, </b>SIDBI; shared with all the dignitaries on the dais and participants about the various financing schemes of SIDBI in setting up Agro & Food Processing Industry. He briefed the audience about the various incentives the Bank is offering to promote investment and encouraging entrepreneurs to set up food processing industry in the state as well as country. He gave an overview on all the loan options available with the bank at a very nominal rate of interest., He urged the delegates to visit their nearest branch to get awareness on the various developmental schemes offered to the industries in making investment and start up in this sector.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>D.K. Puranik,</b> DGM, MP State Agro Industries Development Corporation Ltd briefed the participants about the objective of state Agro Industries Development Corporation. He said that all assistance in providing modern technology for the increase in agricultural production and increase in the availability of subsidiary and complementary food grains is being taken care by the State. He also highlighted on the Agro & Food Processing Policy of the state and assured assistance to farmers and other allied groups. The aim of the state is to increase the flow of investment across the supply chain from farm to market and increase direct and indirect employment in the state and develop agricultural based industries.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Arun Hajela,</b> Horticulture Development Officer, Department of Horticulture & Food Processing, Govt. of MP, was overwhelmed on seeing a huge participation of delegates from Agro & Food Processing sector. He had come specially toa ddress the issues of the industries and farmers related to horticulture and to brief about the various initatives of the Department to support farmers and industries across the state and encourage investment in this sector.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b> Technical Session -2 </b>Latest Trends & Technology in Food Processing Sector with
          
          a focus on safety & Global Best Practices in Food value Chain</p>
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Session Chairman - Dr. K. K. Singh,</b> Director, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering</p>

          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Other Speakers - Nitin Aras, </b>Director Technical, Odtin Food Solutions Ramnath Suryawanshi, CEO, Global Foodtech</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b> Dhaval Raval,</b> Chairman Food Processing & SME Committee, ASSOCHAM Western Council</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b> Hansmukh Jain Gandhi, </b>President MP Cold Chain Industry Association</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Ajay Malhotra,</b> Director, M. M. Consultancy Services</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Dr. K.K. Singh,</b> Director, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, and (Session Chairman) welcomed the participants for the Technical Session II, on latest trends and technology in food processing sector with a focus on safety & global best practices in food value chain. He briefed on the global technology scenario in this sector and how Indian companies can adopt these technologies to become globally competitive. He spoke about multiple industries in the food processing sector and their technological front. He welcomed the other speakers and panelist to share their views on the technological front.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Nitin Aras,</b> Director, Odtin Food Solutions shared presentation on the food solutions their company is offering and briefed on the technology adopted by their company to meet the international standards. He welcomed questions from the participants and also briefed on the various opportunities the state provides to explore business potential in this sector.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Ramnath Suryawanshi,</b> CEO Global Foodtech, in his presentation gave details of the horticulture produce in the state and its scope for development. He briefed on teyh various food parks that are up coming in the state and major investments from the foreign companies in this sector. He said that we are lacking behind in global competition due to various reasons. He suggested on various horticulture processed products that are very much in demand and can be sold in the international as well as domestic markets. By giving an example of tomatoes which are largely produced in the state can be processed and tomato puree from the same apart from dehydrated banana powder as well onion & garlic can be sold in the international market. These products he said is very much in demand internationally. He encouraged the participants to invest in this sector. He with his expertise in this field and research of 37 years was ready to help the investor to get an estimate of setting up of food processing unit in the state.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Hansmukh Jain Gandhi,</b> President MP Cold Chain Industry Association educated the audience on the ample opportunities the State has in terms food processing products. He shared the details on the number of food chains the state has alongwith its storage capacity. He gave district wise details of the cold chain facilities in the state. He was of a view that since the horticulture production is increasing the need for more cold chain storage facility is need of an hour today and we should try to increase this facility in the state.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Ajay Malhotra, Director</b> M.M. Consultancy Services shared a video on the latest technology the companies in food processing sectors are adopting to meet the global standards. He said it is not difficult to adapt to the new technology as it is easy to use and helps the industries achieve and compete in the global market. With his experience and expertise in this field he had helped various industries achieve the quality & standard required in the international market. Various technologies adopted in different industries was shown to the participants which was very informative and educative.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>Dhaval Raval,</b>Chairman, Food Processing & SME Committee, ASSOCHAM Western Council, gave an overview of the food processing sector in India and Gujarat. He also talked about the various business potential available in Madhya Pradesh as well. On industry perspective he said that there is lot of scope for development with the help of government support. He highlighted on the various food parks schemes of government and incentives made available for promotion of this sector. He also gave an idea about the various horticulture products that can be used, preserved and sold in the international market as the state and country is rich in agriculture production. Lot needs to be done to tap this untapped potential of Agro & Food Processing sector. He also welcomed questions from the delegates for development of this sector.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>RECOMMENDATIONS/SUGGESTIONS</b></p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'> Madhya Pradesh has a vast scope and opportunities for the investment in food processing sector as there is easy availability of raw material and good transportation linkages all over India as well. Central as well as State Government is also focusing to the sector and taking new steps in favor of encouraging food processing industries in Madhya Pradesh. ASSOCHAM recommends the following recommendations for implementation, in order to click untapped opportunity-</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>Investment in innovative products like ethanol is needed which can be produced from raw and low cost material like sugarcane husk and corn. These types of products needs to produce in India and should have the potential to export as well.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>To get good food, vegetables, milk, grains, fruits etc there is a need to focus on rural production and also to encourage farmers for farming the potential crops for processed food.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>Skill Development is needed with the help of training in school and to teach various courses related to this sector in institutes.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>Industry needs to put their code of conduct very tight and needs to be more and more ethical in standards.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>In GST i) Poor people food should be exempt from the tax. ii) Low unit value should be totally exempt from the tax. iii) Wherever exemptions are there, keep exemptions & if providing lesser tax right now, in GST also keep the same lesser tax. iv) Vishesh Krishi needs to increase from 5% to 7%.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>To make the assurance of raw material to the processing industry and precise remuneration to the farmers through direct communication and MoU between the farmers and Industries.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>Since a lot of attention is given to the hygiene and quality factors of food, food testing is one of the major avenues where the potential is still untapped.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>Farm mechanization is gaining pace in Indian agriculture. So, to ensure adequate deployment of farm machines available to the farmers at affordable costs, Farm Machinery Banks can be established for facilitating the hire/purchase of farm machines and equipments. This, in addition to augmenting power availability, will also assist the removal of disparity in farm power availability among different states, and subdue the drudgery associated with several farm operations.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'><b>FOLLOW-UP ACTION TAKEN/TO BE TAKEN:</b></p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>After successfully organizing this summit on Agro and Sector with a great participation from all walks of the sector like Corporate & industry, System integrators, assemblers and distributors, Suppliers of raw material, Journalists and Consultants, Entrepreneurs, Researchers, Government agencies, Environment Agencies, Panels manufacturers etc...ASSOCHAM is aiming high to take this lead further.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>It has planned to take the following actions to help Agro and Food Processing Sector:</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'> India is a large country and Agro and Food Processing is an emerging sector; Agri products manufacturers are spread all over the country. So, in the event organizing committee and expert committee meeting it is decided that ASSOCHAM, Western Council will organize the Agro and Food Processing Summit 2017 summits in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Goa so as to cover the maximum area of operation.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>To begin with, ASSOCHAM is organizing Agro and Food Processing Summitwith theme of opportunities and challenges in various parts of Gujarat. In accordance with the recommendations of participants which entail a roadmap for Government of India, State Governments and other stakeholders, ASSOCHAM will take up the recommendations with the respective state Governments on a regular interaction basis. ASSOCHAM will work closely with the stakeholder and groups for capacity building measures with a view to increase production so as there is no short fall in the supply chain of the sector.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>Preparation of set of recommendations for submission to Ministry of Food Processing Industries, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and other apex government and trade promotion bodies to roadmap the future course of action and support necessary policy framework up gradations.</p>
          
          <p style='text-align:justify;'>Constant interaction with participating members from Manufacturers, Supplier, Agencies, Trade Promotion bodies and other International organizations to provide support for the development of Indian solar sector products, business & trade.</p>