Background:
Smt. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Govt. of India had asked the Business Association of Nagas (BAN) to nominate a member to attend the AGRA 2022 – International Fair of Agriculture and Food at Slovenia, Europe.
BAN nominated Mr. Nukuzo Phesao, proprietor, Pristine Foods to attend the fair.
About the trade fair:
The International Agricultural Exhibition has established itself as the biggest economic event for agribusiness in Southeast Europe. It attracts manufacturers and traders because they can present their products and services to more than 40 000 visitors here and professionals from the industry – with innovations on a global level. The exhibition is preferred by farmers because of the opportunity to get informed about new products and services, to purchase equipment and inventory and exchange ideas and experience.
A brief Report
Possible Collaboration based on interaction:
- STORCK distributor, Slovenia, Chocolate and candies
- Napoz, Chilli sauce and drinks
- KULT protur, Pumpkin oil
- LA Chocolate, Chocolate, fruit candies and other candies
Delegates–
Six MSEs from India represented the Country in the Fair at Ljubljana, Slovenia.
1. Shanta Farms – Smt. Pallavi Vyas (Madhya Pradesh)
2. Millets for Health – Smt. Pallavi Upadhyay – (Uttar Pradesh)
3. Supreem Pharmaceuticals- Shri. S N Rao (Karnataka)
4. Urlong Tea – Smt. Ribahun (Meghalaya)
5. Ecstasy Chocolate – Smt. Shilpa Bhatt (Gujarat)
6. Pristine Foods – Shri. Nukuzo Phesao (Nagaland)
Meetings–
B. B Swain, Secretary and Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME were part of the delegation for three days. They interacted with the MSEs in order to formulate possible strategies in import and export, identify existing issues and opportunities to assist farmers while generating employment.
Ambassador of India to Slovenia, Namrata S Kumar hosted the Indian delegates twice for lunch. She assisted the Indian delegates in all meetings while voicing her genuine concern to assist any entrepreneur or business to enter the Slovenian market.
Foreign Minister- The meeting with the foreign minister and signing of MOU was done in the presence of the Indian Ambassador, Smt. Namrata S Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Shri B.B. Swain, Joint Secretary, Smt Mercy Epao and Director, PHDCCI, Smt. Mili Dubey.
Slovenian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food- The minister Irena Šinko showed keen interest to explore further possibilities of future exchange and partnering with India for trade in Agri Technology and Agri Tourism.
Mayor of Ptuj & SPIRIT Slovenia-
- Discussion of possible Exotic Fruit and food export
- Import of Technology to bolster Indian farming and food processing sector
MOU Signing with SPIRIT, Slovenia for possible import and export(SPIRIT Slovenia is the official Business Development Agency equivalent to Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
Fair venue Activities- The delegates visited and interacted with other entrepreneurs and companies in the related fields. The fair had a good presence of modern high tech machinery and equipments for farming and processing. This indicated their heavy dependence on machines over manpower. As mentioned by the ministry, Slovenia has a decline in the farming community which could in near future lead to food security issues. Japan was the partnering nation for AGRA Fair, 2022. Besides India and Senegal, most participating countries were from the European Union. As mentioned, Slovenia has very strong R&D sector which is relied upon by other European nations to a great extent. Though the population is less, the entire country having just fewer than 20 million, the demand for high value food produce and products are not compromised.
Sightseeing
The Delegates took the liberty to explore the Capital city Ljubljana, a winery, a chocolate factory and, multiple castles and the infamous Postojna cave. An organised trip was also made to Budapest in Hungary and an old city in Austria.
What can be offered?
The best thing that one can offer to consumers in Slovenia would be high quality organic exotic fruits like Pineapple, Kiwi and Dragon fruit. These would be in the forms of fresh, simple dehydrated or candied form. There is good market for edible oil with high nutrition value from oil seeds to cater to the vegan community.
