Conference on Traditional Foods Organised by CII as Part of Foodpro 2019

• Bringing back consumer attention to traditional food is the need of the hour.

Chennai, 25 August.  “Traditional food bucket in Tamil Nadu has long history which is not changed much and most of our traditional foods are from produce of the land. Traditional food is safe, medicinal and it contains wisdom of 1000 of years” said Mr Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru, IAS, Principal Secretary / Commissioner, Directorate of Agriculture Marketing and Agri Business, Government of Tamil Nadu in his inaugural address at the Conference on Traditional Foods organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as part of Foodpro 2019 here today.  Bringing back the attention of consumers to traditional foods is need of the hour and to maintain the demand, supply and logistics chain of traditional food products is an important aspect for growth of Traditional food sector. 

Mr A D Padmasingh Isaac, Conference Chairman & Chairman & Managing Director, Aachi Group of Companies

Strategic research on traditional food has to be done  immediately or else we will lose out to the other countries said Mr Chiru.  Government policies will focus on food security for the citizens and also  ensure farmers gets their remuneration from farming.   Farmers should also look at relevant technology and marketing strategy to improve farmer productivity.  Government would invest in  infrastructure like cold storage and food parks to improve the food production.

Mr Srinivas Reddy, Member, Foodpro 2019 Steering Committee and Senior General Manager, Blue Star Ltd said “Traditional foods play an important role in our local identity, consumer behavior and Transitional heritage for future generations. The increase in demand for traditional foods would help growth of small and medium enterprises . 

Mr Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru, IAS, Principal Secretary / Commissioner, Directorate of Agriculture Marketing and Agri Business, Government of Tamil Nadu in his inaugural address at the Conference on Traditional Foods organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Also seen in the photograph Mr Srinivas Reddy, Member, Foodpro 2019 Steering Committee and Senior General Manager, Blue Star Ltd and Mr A D Padmasingh Isaac, Conference Chairman & Chairman & Managing Director, Aachi Group of Companies

As India carries much culture and ecological differences and it has wide range of traditional products which needs to be registered in Geographical indications to establish the trust and to become brands in the market. It’s a golden time for the farmers, government and technologies to promote the traditional foods in the minds of the younger generations. Mr A D Padmasingh Isaac, Conference Chairman & Chairman & Managing Director, Aachi Group of Companies said, “Food culture in India is very unique as we have invented food as medicine very long ago.  Traditional food is healthy and rich in nutrition.   Tamil Nadu is the best state to promote traditional foods as various crops are grown here which has nutrition and health benefits.

Mr Issac said that food demand will grow by 60% globally by 2050 in which Traditional food products will have a major opportunity for growth. In order to maintain and expand the market share of Traditional food products industry should focus on  improvement in safety, standards and quality. 💢💢💢