Capacity Building of Sustainable Food Value Chains for Enhanced Food Safety Discussed

National Productivity Council (NPC) of India with support of Asian Productivity Organization, Tokyo, Japan organized a two day National Conference on Capacity Building of Sustainable Food Value Chains for Enhanced Food Safety and Quality on 21^st and 22^nd August, 2019 at India International Centre, New Delhi.

While welcoming the dignitaries, Sh. Arun Kumar Jha, IES, Director General, NPC emphasised the importance and potential of food processing industry. The Conference was inaugurated by Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, IAS, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India and Chairman National Productivity Council. In his inaugural address, Dr. Mohapatra highlighted the relevance of sustainable Food Value Chains and the international standards enacted through the Food Safety and Security Act, 2006.

He also acknowledged the demand for food safety assurances leading to proliferation of food safety and quality assurance programs. Ms. Rita Teaotia, IAS (Retd.), Chairperson, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in her Keynote Address emphasised the need to develop the Mitigation strategies for curbing food wastages, enhancing food security and food quality.

Dr. Manickam Asaithambi, Asian Productivity Organization, Japan, lauded the efforts of NPC India to organize this program on sustainable food value chains which is an international phenomenon and expressed that the outcome would lead to strategies for developing sustainable strategies for India. The Technical Sessions on various aspects of the conference theme would be imparted over next two days of the conference.