Mysore/Mysuru: At the ‘World Food India 2023’ event, hosted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industry from Nov. 3 to 5 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, the Mysuru-based Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) showcased a wide array of products developed using its cutting-edge technologies.

The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who distributed Seed Capital Assistance to over one lakh Self-Help Group (SHG) members. He emphasised the event’s role in positioning India as the ‘food basket of the world,’ especially given that 2023 is designated as the International Year of Millets.

Modi praised the technology and startup pavilion and the food street, recognising their potential to shape the future economy. He acknowledged the food processing sector as a ‘sunrise sector,’ highlighting its attraction of over Rs. 50,000 crore in foreign direct investment over the past nine years.

This mega food event, supported by ten Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, six commodity boards, and 25 States, attracted substantial interest from both international and domestic stakeholders. The event featured 1,208 exhibitors and 14 country pavilions which witnessed the participation of 715 international buyers, 218 domestic buyers, and 97 corporate leaders.

The CSIR Pavilion was inaugurated by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, in the presence of Directors from three CSIR Constituent Laboratories and Scientists. Dr. Kalaiselvi unveiled three products, one from each of the three labs, which included CFTRI, the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology and the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology.

From CFTRI, a notable product was ‘Ragi Power Punch,’ an instant beverage mix made from malted ragi, developed by M/s Ram Gold. The CSIR-CFTRI booth showcased various machinery and products, including spouted bed roasters, poori forming machines, ragi mudde making machines, jowar roti making machines, tiny rice mills, pedal-operated millet mills, and a bio-fumigant system.

The exhibit also featured a variety of millet products and innovative technologies developed by CFTRI, along with research and development posters. Anita Praveen, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industry, visited the CSIR Pavilion and commended CFTRI’s contributions to research and development in the food.