Rani Kumudini, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, inaugurated the 8th edition of "BIOFACH India together with INDIA ORGANIC 2016" today at NSIC Exhibition Grounds, Okhla. Other eminent dignitaries present at the inauguration included Mr. Sompal, Ex Member Planning Commission, Ministry of State - Agriculture, Govt of India, Markus Arbenz, Executive Director, IFOAM organics International, Markus Reetz, Executive Director, International Exhibitions, NurnbergMesse, Sonia Prashar, Managing Director, Nuernberg Messe India & Manoj Kumar Menon, Executive Director, ICCOA.
The three day exhibition which is happening for the first time in New Delhi opened on a very positive note with both industry as well as consumers flocking the venue, eager to know more about the organic products. We are targeting business enquiries worth Rs100 crore and more, says Sonia Prashar, Managing Director, Nuernberg Messe India & Manoj Kumar Menon, Executive Director, ICCOA. A niche and exclusive International trade show on organic products in India that has a strict certification criteria thereby ensuring the quality of the products on display, is organized by Nuernberg Messe India Pvt. Ltd. and the co-organizers are the International Competence Centre of Organic Agriculture (ICCOA).
With the rise in awareness of healthy food in Metropolitan cities today, organic food is no longer just a Fad! The demand for Organic foods especially Fruits & Vegetables has intensified in big cities in the past few years. The rise in health consciousness, changing lifestyles, mounting disposable spending and growing availability of organic food products in shopping malls and retail shops makes the Metros as the focal point. Sonia Prashar, Managing Director, Nuernberg Messe India reiterates the growing importance of Organic products by saying, "Our priorities revolve around organic growth and our focus is on growing our existing platform. The increasing number of reliable and healthy options in the market have given us an opportunity to nurture the increasing demand. We are elated to bring BIOFACH India together with INDIA ORGANIC to our own city for the first time."
The Growing Organic Trend With people adopting a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle, organic products are seeing more acceptance and growing popularity. The market is growing at a healthy rate. In the last five years, the shelf space of such products in metros has tripled. This is enhancing entrepreneurial opportunities and prodding retailers to offer more to the consumers. The multi-fold growth in the number of organic stores and brands across the capital, with the increase in government initiatives to enhance the production and consumption of such products have only encouraged the capital to host the next Organic World Congress in 2017. The main idea is to expose the Global organic farming movement to the tremendous expansion of organic farming that has taken place in India, especially Delhi in the past decade. Going by IFOAM statistics, India hosts the largest number of organic farmers in the world.
"ICCOA, with its grass-root experiences has realised that organic farming is sustainable to the farmer only if market linkages are developed. Adoption and certification is only the first step. Links with businesses to sell organic produce at a premium and consistent buying support is essential to keep the farmer motivated. With the growing demand from Metropolitan cities, shifting our venue from one of the largest producers, Kerala, to a consistently growing consumer, New Delhi - our next venue for the show, is ready to welcome our stakeholders with open arms." says, Manoj Kumar Menon, Executive Director ICCOA
This edition of BIOFACH INDIA together with INDIA ORGANIC will showcase participation by more than 150 companies from India and all over the world, displaying a wide range of organic products. There will be a buyer-seller meeting organised onsite international buyers from Europe, US, Middle East and Asia meet, so as to specifically extend their network and develop new procurement sources. Last year the B2B records show that business worth 570 million was generated.
Leading private organic stakeholders such as Nature Bio-Foods Ltd., Brahm Arpan, MRT Organics, Suminter Organics, 24 Letter Mantra, Phalada Agro, Just Organik, Radico, Mehrotra Consumer Products, Agronic Food, Sarveshwar foods, Natureland Organic, Cultivator Natural Products, Amaara Food & Wellness, Terra Greens and many more are present at the show displaying a wide diversity of organic products.
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Besides food and beverage there will also be an impressive participation from the Natural Care & Wellness sector, Organic Textiles Sector, Certification Bodies as well as participation by leading Government Boards like Tea Board, Coffee Board etc.
Among the international presence are big Conglomerates like ...
BIOAGRICOOP S.C.R.L from Italy who are looking at expanding their operation in the Indian market through active promotion of organic food like olive oil, tomato sauce, wines, pasta , coffee and many other products.
M K Entreprises from Japan are looking for options in India to introduce their Laundry Revolution from Japan, The Ultimate Detergent Alternative.
The product saves time and money by not requiring frequent purchase of regular detergent, saving money by conserving power and water usage.
Murray River Organics Ltd. from Australia is the largest fully vertically integrated producer and marketer of certified organic dried vine fruit in the World. Through acquisitions and organic growth, Murray River Organics Ltd. is rapidly developing towards becoming a Leading Organic, Natural and "Better-for-You" food products company, servicing customers globally.
Concurrently with the Exhibition, an International Conference will be held to deliberate on the current practices / trends / challenges faced by the organic sector with eminent key National and International speakers from relevant industry. The international conference will address the entire ecological value-added chain - from organic production to sales. In specialist presentations, case studies and Best - Practice examples, experts will not only be providing information about current market developments and trends, but also on proven and sustainable cultivation methods on soil and nutrient management. In addition, the conference will offer participants an optimal communication platform, enabling them to enter into an exchange with each other on sector-relevant themes.
Consumer Connect Program is aimed at creating awareness about organic products and its relevance to food safety, health and environment.
Nutritionists, farmers, farming cooperatives, agricultural experts and doctors will once again participate in a workshop explaining the advantages of organic agriculture and lifestyle through exciting presentations.The stakeholders that will be addressed will also include school pupils and working moms. The aim is to get more organic food into India's private kitchens and specifically answer the participants' questions. Quizzes and small prize competitions will liven up the program.
"We have been exhibiting at BIOFACH INDIA together with INDIA ORGANIC for six years. The visitor quality is simply fantastic and each time we have been able to acquire new customers. The public is generally enthusiastic. This event is also the optimum platform for introducing the population to organic." says Tapan Ray, Managing Director of organic company Nature Bio-Foods.
"This year also the response at our booth was quite good. We could receive many new retailers and distributors from different parts of the country, who will add to our organic business family. Quality of visitors was good, and we could successfully add to our business." - Sanjeev Bhatt, Radico .