Making shrimps available for masses will boost domestic market
Mumbai: A good number of attendees participated at the 2nd edition of the two-day Shrimp Retail conference on 22-23 November in Mumbai to pore over opportunities available increasing domestic demand and consumption of shrimp in the country. The event brought many key players and decision makers to deliberate on the ways to improve the shrimp supply chain within India.
With knowledge sessions, group discussions and live demo, the program was quite impressive. The attendees list included retailers, e-commerce players, shrimp farmers, processers, technology suppliers, HORECA players, cold chain solution providers and researchers & academia.
Highlighting the significance of such a business and networking platform, Pravash Pradhan, the Founder and Convener of Shrmp Retail said, ‘It is a very good initiative to engage all stakeholders in the shrimp value chain, deliberate on the challenges and find solutions on how to boost the demand of shrimp products within the country’. Adding further, Pradhan said, ‘The conference helps building momentum for the development of shrimp value chain within India.’
Speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day event, Jatindra Nath Swain, Former Secretary-Fisheries, Government of India, said, ‘The domestic demand and consumption of shrimp can be increased with making shrimp available and affordable for masses. The shrimp industry should come forward to work together, educate the consumers and use existing network of cold chains to boost the domestic supply.’
Chef Manjit Singh Gill, President, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations, while speaking at the event, said, ‘Chefs are the best persons to help increase the popularity of shrimps and prawns in the country. We need to work closely as a community, develop a network and conduct shrimp festivals with engagement of local chefs to boost the demand and consumption of shrimp in India.’
Talking about the initiatives taken by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Raghu Ram, Vice-Chairman, APSADA said, ‘The State government is working closely with all stakeholders to promote the domestic market under ‘Fish Andhra’ brand and encouraging youths to open retail shops to sell shrimp and fish products.’
The 30 plus speakers gave insightful views of the current domestic market scenario of shrimp production and distribution network in the country.
Representatives from the Ministry of Food Processing industries spoke about various schemes available to promote processing and value addition of farm produces in the country and help increase the income of the farmers.
Dr Joykrushna Jena, DDG-Fisheries, ICAR, Government of India, delivering the valedictory address said, ‘It is definitely a very good initiative to promote domestic market for shrimp/fish. Making good quality shrimp available to the consumers and modernizing the market infrastructure will boost the domestic market.’
Industry leaders such as Alpha Marine, Venlin Foods Pvt td, Otanics Technology Joint Stock Company, Vietnam (Tomota), WFD Systems India Pvt Ltd, Vaisakhi Bio Marine Resources , and BMR Groups supported this conference.
The 2nd edition of the conference is provided to be very useful and popular with participation of diverse players who significantly contribute to the development of domestic market of shrimp.