Shillong, Sept 23: From Reema Nongrum to Namshrang Ruddiee Diengdoh and others, the World Food India event was a launchpad for future business growth, signaling the state’s emergence as a key player in India’s food processing industry.
Meghalaya’s entrepreneurs took center stage at the World Food India event, as they not only showcased the state’s rich agricultural offerings but also talked business with global players, thanks to the platform provided by the state government through the ‘Meghalaya Collectives’ initiative. The pavilion attracted attention from leading food processing companies and potential investors, signaling a major opportunity for Meghalaya’s business ecosystem to go global.’
World Food India 2024, the mega food event, concluded today after four days of exploring potentialities, fostering innovation, and building collaboration in the food sector, at the Pragati Maidan New Delhi.
Meghalaya Pavillion witnessed fruitful meetings with renowned companies, exploring potential collaborations like ZEPTO, an online grocery delivery service that offers quick commerce, Big Basket, an online grocery store that delivers a wide range of products to customers in India, Lulu Group International, Emirati-based multinational conglomerate company that operates a chain of hypermarkets and retail companies, PepsiCo, an American multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation headquartered in New York, Patanjali Food, an Indian multinational Fast-moving consumer goods company specialized in the food industry, Mother Dairy, statutory body under the ownership of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, and National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL). These interactions underscored the interest in Meghalaya’s food processing sector and the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Representatives from various states and countries visited the Meghalaya Pavilion, recognising the state’s growth potential in the food sector business. Dignitaries who visited the Meghalaya Pavillion included Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries, and Dr Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, where they appreciated the Meghalaya Collective initiative in particular.
Entrepreneurs like Reena Nongrum, founder of Mewan Food Processing, highlighted how pivotal such events are for business growth. “This event has opened doors that were unimaginable before. The training from NABARD prepared me, but this platform took my business to the next level. Meeting big players in the industry has helped me understand market demands and how to make our products from Meghalaya stand out.”
Her sentiment was echoed by Dawhoi Dhar, founder of Naki, a business focused on sharing Meghalaya’s flavors with the world. “This event provided direct access to foreign customers and potential investors. The conversations I had here will shape how I scale my business. From branding to supply chain management, the learning has been immense.”
For Namshrang Ruddiee Diengdoh, owner of Nongrep, the focus was on international expansion. “We generated leads from across Europe and Asia, including Belarus, Russia, and Japan. These interactions have the potential to bring Meghalaya’s unique products to global shelves. It’s an exciting time for all of us in the food processing business.”
The ‘Meghalaya Collectives’ initiative, launched at the event, brought together 20 exclusive brands from the region, highlighting value-added products made from locally sourced resources like Lakadong turmeric and Khasi mandarin. The entrepreneurs were unanimous in their appreciation for the support from the Directorate of Food Processing, which enabled them to present their products on such a prestigious platform.
The event proved to be a turning point for Meghalaya’s business community, offering a rare chance for local entrepreneurs to engage with global investors, share their stories, and pitch their products. The collaborations and connections formed during the event are expected to boost Meghalaya’s economy, especially in the food processing sector, which has garnered strong interest from companies like ZEPTO, Big Basket, and PepsiCo.
