Odisha’s first Multi Product Mega Food Park at Rayagada, which will function as a hub for food processing industry in the state, was showcased at the 12th edition of Annapoorna-World of Food India, 2017 in Mumbai. The three-day event, which began on September 14, was inaugurated by Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
According to state Government officials, the seafood sector of the state was being represented by the Seafood Exporters Association of India, Odisha Region. Four entrepreneurs selected by MSME Department of Odisha Government were also participating in the event.
This was an annual event organised to showcase the vast opportunities available in the food processing sector in the country. Notably, India being one of the fastest growing economies of the world is also the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables. However, the country is able to process only 10 per cent of the total produce resulting in humungous wastage.
Annapoorna-World of Food India, 2017 over the years has become a major platform for sourcing of materials, technical collaboration and finding a new market for products to propel the food processing industries to great heights.This edition was attended by 250 participants which included many European Countries which were interested to find a market for their products and for sourcing products from India.