02-05-2025
Traditional, innovative foods on display at expo
A three-day food processing and technology expo 'Food Tech 2025' displaying traditional and innovative foods organised by the Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA) was inaugurated at Ida Scudder auditorium in Madurai.
Speaking at the inauguration, Director of ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchi, R. Selvarajan said that India has significantly progressed from the days of famine. It was now exporting agricultural products and this was achieved through research.
Out of the eight varieties of bananas that had received geographical indication (GI) tag, three varieties were from Tamil Nadu: Kanniyakumari Matti Banana, Sirumalai Hill Banana and Virupakshi Hill Banana. Bananas were very popular, he said.
He pointed out that the Centre in Tiruchi had introduced several varieties of bananas and also traditional and innovative products. Some of the products included banana stem juice and pickles, banana flower thokku, low fat chips and other value added products which had received good reception from the people, he said.
Assistant General Manager (NABARD) A.S. Sakthi Balan said that efforts were being taken to promote new ideas and back them financially. There was a need to invest in new ideas, he said. There were supply chain constraints which needed to be identified and rectified, he added.
MADITSSIA president A. Kodeeswaran welcomed the gathering. He said that the main objective of the expo was to help people understand the business and encourage start-ups. Chairperson of the expo A. Anbarasan said that the idea was to introduce the people to technology and improve the business overall.
Vice-Chairperson V. Suraj Sundara Shankar said that seminars will be held as part of the expo. Experts will be presenting papers on various topics for the benefit of the people. Secretary V. Senthilkumar proposed a vote of thanks.
Buildex 2025, a building material and property exhibition, organised by MADITSSIA was also inaugurated at Ida Scudder auditorium. Products related to construction and architecture and interior design were on display at the expo.
