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U.S., Europe offer scope for Indian organic food
By Our Special Correspondent
CHENNAI
FEB. 9.
Indian and foreign companies involved in manufacture/distribution of machinery and equipment for processing, packaging, storing and labelling of food are participating in strength at the four-day International Foodtec India 2002 exhibition being held at the Chennai Trade Centre.
Organised by the Confederation of Indian Food Trade and Industry (CIFTI), the food wing of FICCI, in collaboration with Cidex Trade Fairs, a joint venture of Messe Dusseldorf and Coln Messe International, Foodtec India 2002 has incorporated in itself Indpack 2002, the second edition of Indpack, which features group participation from Germany.
Inaugurating the fair, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, O. Paneerselvam, said the State Government had decided to accord priority for development of infrastructure for post-harvest handling, storage and marketing of fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and poultry, encourage contract farming protecting the interests of both farmers and investors and create a venture capital fund and technology development centres for the dissemination of modern technology in the food sector.
At a one-day conference on "organic food — the clean way to high value", held concurrently offsite by CIFTI in association with APEDA (Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Development Authority), the Central Government's schemes and guidelines in operation for promotion and accreditation of domestic and foreign certification agencies for inspecting and certifying organic food and for conversion of operating farms into organic farms were explained by experts.
The role of the `Indian organic' logo that has been developed for labelling organic food, having a high potential in markets like the U.S., Europe and Japan, was emphasised. The participants also sought to erase the impression that no crops could be grown during the two to three years needed for conversion of existing farms.
The potential for organic farming especially in the north-eastern region and the need to involve State governments in popularising the scheme and offering extension services was emphasised by participants.
Another one-day meet on "new technologies in ensuring safe and nutritional food" will be held on Monday by CIFTI in association with the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
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