FICCI-GFI India to establish smart protein as a key pillar of India’s green economy

FICCI-GFI India to establish smart protein as a key pillar of India’s green economy
The Smart Protein Summit has been designed by GFI India and FICCI to propel India to the forefront of the global race for smart protein innovation

Good Food Institute, Asia (GFI Asia) president Varun Deshpande announced the launch of FICCI– GFI India Smart Protein Center for Excellence to provide much-needed support for uplifting the Indian smart protein ecosystem. “The challenges we face before us, in terms of food safety and security are growing. We think that smart protein – meat, eggs, and dairy made from plants, cells, and microorganisms – is one of our best bets for a more sustainable, secure, and just food supply.” Given the World Health Organization’s warnings that we may soon be living in a post-antibiotic era due to antimicrobial resistance and that 75 per cent of infections are likely to be foodborne in the future, we need to transform our protein supply.

Addressing the ‘Smart Protein Summit 2022’, organised by FICCI and the Good Food Institute India (GFI India) with support from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), APEDA, and FSSAI, Deshpande reiterated the need to become Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in the smart protein arena as well. “We have crop diversity, a globally competitive talent pool, and hundreds of people working on this opportunity – many of whom you see here in the room. We need an enabling policy environment for the sector to grow and thrive.”

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Siraj Hussain, Advisor, FICCI Food Processing Division & former secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Food Processing, Government of India said, “Smart protein may be a new concept, but it is a sector with immense global potential. FICCI is very excited to partner with GFI India to transform our food system. There’s an enormous opportunity for the sector to create linkages with Indian farmers and ensure that the protein supply comes from local producers.”

Speaking about the paradigm shift in the sector, Siraj Azmat Chaudhry, Former Chair FICCI Food Processing Committee and Chairman, National Commodities Management Services (NCML) said, “I see this as the revenge of the underdog. In India, there’s a saying, ‘ghar ki murgi dal barabar‘ and now we have dals and pulses coming back to compete with meat! The growth of this sector will allow farmers to diversify from cereal crops to diverse protein-rich crops like pulses and millets.” Beyond producers, smart protein has the potential to improve dietary choices and nutrition for consumers as well.

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Dr Sudhanshu, Secretary, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said, “Our citizens have the right to safe food. When we innovate with new products, they should be accessible to the common masses. Smart protein also provides a new platform for entrepreneurs to prosper and this way India can keep pace with global trends.”

The summit has been designed by GFI India and FICCI to propel India to the forefront of the global race for smart protein innovation. Following the inaugural address, Deloitte partner Anand Ramanathan and Varun Dehspande unveiled for the first time, topline numbers on the market size and export potential of the sector from a rigorous study by GFI India and Deloitte India. ‘The Smart Protein Economic Analysis’ delves deep into the smart protein economic opportunity for India, shedding light on avenues for job creation and India’s potential to become a leading manufacturer and supplier of raw materials, and equipment for smart protein globally by 2030.

Smart protein is an essential pillar of this bio-economy and over the course of the two-day summit, GFI India, FICCI, and all the event’s supporters aim to demonstrate just how valuable this burgeoning sector could be to India’s new green economy.

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