Foreign delegates expected at Lucknow agro meet

In order to give a boost to the agro and food processing industries in UP and equip entrepreneurs with sufficient information to set up business in related fields, the Indian Industries Association (IIA), along with the Department of Food Processing and Industrial Development, UP is going to organise a four-day Indian Food Expo-2007, in Lucknow.

Indian Food Expo (IFX) is the country's largest agro and food processing trade fair, scheduled from February 1 to February 4.

Talking to Business Standard, DS Verma, executive director, IIA, said: "This is the fourth year in a row we will be organising the expo. It began in 2004, when the UP government decided to work for the promotion and development of the agro and food processing industries in the state. We are also expecting a Pakistani delegation to visit the fair. Also a team from Lesotho is expected to set up a stall at the Expo. Delegation from UK, Israel and Canada are also interested."

The objective of IFX is to exhibit whatever agro products are made in the state and outside, along with emphasis on displaying the technologies, machinery, products and services produced within and outside the country. It will also discuss the initiatives by the government in the agro field and the strength of the state in food processing.

Uttar Pradesh is the largest state in India, not only in terms of population but also in terms of agricultural produce. The state's share in the country's total agricultural produce namely fruits, vegetables, milk, sugarcane, wheat and rice is more than 35 per cent.

At present, there are 3,500 agro processing units in the state with an investment of about Rs 22, 000 million and the processing level of around 3 per cent. These units provide employment to 3.5 lakh people.