A delegation of newly formed Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) called on Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries at his official residence at 7B Janpath Road, New Delhi recently. The delegation led by Mr. Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director of the Association, apprised the Minister about the status of the nascent yet rapidly growing plant-based food sector in India. Observing that the sector is poised for explosive growth, Mr. Sethi sought the guidance and guidance of Mr. Patel to transform it into a major industry in both domestic and global markets through policy changes, capacity building, ease of doing business and other interventions. Support sought. The global plant-based food market is expected to reach US$77.8 billion in 2025.
The development of a plant-based food industry offers a great opportunity to address climate change, food insecurity and malnutrition, and public health risks (including pandemic and antimicrobial resistance) and help India meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Is. The PBFIA delegation led by Mr. Sethi included Varun Deshpande, MD, Good Food Institute India; Kartik Dixit, Founder, Evo Foods, Mumbai; Prateek Ghai, Founder, Bee Veg Foods, New Delhi; Pradeep Rao, Founder, Vikas Foods, Bengaluru; Amit Bajaj, Founder, Weasley Foods; Palak Mehta, CEO, Vegan First Media, Pune; Gaurav Sharma, Founder, Greenest; Preeti Singh, White Cubs, Gurugram; Prakashi Pulkit of Dharma Foods; Narhari Gupta of Snil Burgers, and Satvika Mahajan, Good Food Institute India.
“The meeting was conducted in a very cordial and positive atmosphere and I am grateful for the offer of Mr. Patel that he supported us and helped us grow rapidly. Amazing energy was seen in the room, the minister and his team expressed innovative and Appreciated the delicious plant-based food samples that we had taken together,” said Mr. Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director, PBFIA after the meeting. ‘On our part, we pledge to do everything we can to help the plant-based food ecosystem flourish, prosper and bloom.
Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Shri Prahlad Singh Patel has asked PBFIA to hold a special meeting with the Ministry to discuss cold chain logistics and what can be done to smoothen the daily parcel operations between major cities for the industry. could. Mr. Patel looks forward to Gaurav Sisodia, AVP, Invest India, who was present at the meeting to collaborate with PBFIA for its various initiatives.
“I am happy to announce that the Minister sought the help of PBFIA for organizing two major events, one involving all Indian stakeholders in a plant-based ecosystem, and the other where international players would also be invited, So that all can be understood and addressed. Challenges facing the industry.” Mr Sethi said. The Minister also appreciated the youthful energy and enthusiasm of the PBFIA delegation.
Varun Deshpande, MD, Good Food Institute India, said the proposal of his institute seeking funding at the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) for centers of excellence in this field was well received by the minister.
Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, (Left) with Shri Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director, Plant-Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA)
The PBFIA suggested a number of steps the government could take, including:
- Establishment of centers of excellence, accelerators to support innovation, tie-up with universities
- Tax incentives for investors and entrepreneurs, reduction in GST rates
- infrastructural support (food processing, cold chain, etc.) and other capacity-building initiatives including an accelerator to support
- A joint task force for coordination between various government ministries, departments and agencies involved.
About Plant-Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA):
The Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) is a CEO-led organization formed to help develop the nascent plant-based food ecosystem in India. Headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, PBFIA aims to:
- Build a network connecting organizations, food handlers, start-ups, investors and consumers
- Help businesses grow in this field through networking, collaboration, and the dissemination of technical and market information and research.
- Highlight and promote the benefits of plant-based industry as a means to improve health, food safety, fair practices, and meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Secure a plant-forward future for your members in times of conflict.
- Partner with organizations and other industry bodies with similar philosophies and visions on the principles of collaboration and collaboration
- Advocate policy changes to check trade barriers or unfair practices that act as barriers to industry growth
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