World Food India 2024 concluded today after four days at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, showcasing opportunities in the food sector. A key highlight was the Meghalaya Pavilion, which featured the launch of “Meghalaya Collectives,” attracting significant interest from food processing investors.
Key Meetings and Collaborations
The event facilitated important meetings between Meghalaya’s entrepreneurs and major companies such as Zepto, Big Basket, Lulu Group International, PepsiCo, Patanjali Food, Mother Dairy, and National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL). These discussions focused on collaborations in market linkages and food processing, aimed at enhancing the local industry’s potential.
Government Praise and Initiatives
Dignitaries including Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries, and Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, commended Meghalaya’s initiatives, especially the “Meghalaya Collectives.” This government-backed project highlights local products like Lakadong Turmeric and Khasi Mandarin, while promoting sustainable farming and entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurial Success Stories
Entrepreneurs such as Reena Nongrum, founder of Mewan Food Processing, and Dawhoi Dhar, founder of Naki, shared their positive experiences. Nongrum attributed her success to NABARD training and encouraged women to leverage Meghalaya’s abundant resources. Dhar emphasized the valuable networking opportunities with international customers and investors.
International Interest and Exhibition
Namshrang Ruddiee Diengdoh, owner of Nongrep, noted that the B2B exhibition drew interest from countries like Belarus, Poland, and Japan, generating valuable leads for local farmers.
Conclusion
The Meghalaya Pavilion showcased 20 exclusive brands, emphasizing local produce and rural entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on improving farmers’ incomes and sustainable agricultural practices.
