THE "FOOD BOWL" OF NEW ZEALAND-AN INNOVATIVE SET UP

The big difference between SMEs and large corporate food processing is the power of innovation for which latter is equipped with necessary R & D infrastructure. SMEs can never be able to mobilize enough resources in developing and testing new products which acts as an impediment to compete effectively with larger players to establish viable markets. Many countries do provide some sort of state support to these fragmented industry through public funded R & D though it is another matter that these facilities invariably become moribund without serving the purpose. It is rarely realized that any R & D carried out in isolation without involving the user industry is of academic interest and waste of public money. Against such a scenario the efforts of New Zealand government in setting up what is called a Food Bowl in the country with state of the art facilities for product development and pilot testing for assessing the feasibility and acceptability of the products in the market. Here is a take on this innovative approach in this country which deserves a big applause.   

"Auckland's new Food Innovation Centre based in Manukau - Te Ipu Kai, the Food Bowl - opened today and is set to become a key component of New Zealand's developing network of food science and technology innovation resources. The Food Bowl is an impressive 2000 square metre export certified purpose-built and multi-faceted pilot plant that will support food manufacturers to cost effectively develop and test new products for commercialisation, specifically for the fast moving consumer goods market. The first of its kind in New Zealand, the new innovation centre is being hailed by the Mayor as a critical piece of infrastructure for Auckland, helping to address gaps in the food product development pipeline while accelerating the growth of high-value exports based on Kiwi innovation and research. "The food and beverage sector is a significant contributor to Auckland's economy with firms earning approximately $4.7 billion each year. The new food innovation centre will provide additional support to this thriving sector and is a solid platform for taking it to the next level," says Len Brown. "Investing in infrastructure to support Auckland's economic growth is essential to achieve our vision of the world's most liveable city. Enhancing food and beverage exports and creating more jobs is fundamental." Located at Auckland Airport, New Zealand's primary export hub, the new centre features state-of-the-art flexible food and beverage manufacturing facilities, able to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Over time, the centre is intended to attract a cluster of associated food businesses. Representing a capital asset of $18.1 million for the food sector, the centre is estimated to provide benefits that exceed $26 million by June 2014, according to Tony Nowell, Chairman of New Zealand Food Innovation Auckland, operators of the centre".

It is not that in a country like India there are no institutions of excellence in Food Research and once reputed CFTRI, DFRL and Food Tech training institutions have become more or less redundant because they are all working like "frogs in the well", living far away from ground realities. The much touted NIFTEM, a 100% government project which is yet to take shape is not going to be different from its older counterparts, again due to the fact that there is no viable industry linkage for undertaking programs that are relevant to the manufacturing sector. Putting a couple of industry managers on their governing body does not make these institutions industry relevant but tackling problems and future needs of the industry, short term as well as long term, only can make any meaningful impact. One can only wish that GOI takes a leaf out of the purposeful efforts in New Zealand in strengthening its food manufacturing and export sector through visionary programs like the Food Bowl.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

THE FAST "EMPTYING" OF THE FOOD BOWL-HOW TO REPLENISH?

The subject of poverty and hunger is an attractive topic for discussion among policy makers, scientists and industry as there is tremendous business potential besides the sociological implications. There will never be unanimity regarding the ability of the world to feed itself when the population is anticipated to cross the 10 billion mark in less than two decades from now. The vested interests like the GM lobby are pitching for an entirely new paradigm as far as agriculture is concerned advocating adoption of GM technology in a massive way to increase the net food availability. Better agricultural practices to increase land productivity are being suggested by other groups opposed to tinkering of nature through genetic manipulation. A more logical plea comes from another quarters suggesting reduction of wastage of foods which is variously estimated at 40-50% from the farm to the fork. How far these estimates are realistic is not really known. Here is the arguments by these proponents to strive to cut food losses through concerted efforts by both developing and developed countries.

"The biggest hole in the bucket will continue to be food uses. Despite the expected increases in population, there are some important changes we can make to reduce this flow. It is estimated that as much at 40 per cent of the food grown in developing countries is lost after it leaves the fields. This loss occurs mostly during storage and transport. Even modest improvements in infrastructure here can lead to a bountiful second "hidden harvest." Continued well-designed aid for agriculture in developing countries can make a big difference.
There is enormous loss of food in Canada too, but it doesn't occur in the food storage and distribution systems. Rather, it is the waste of food in our shops and homes -- food that is uneaten and thrown away. Accurate numbers are hard to come by, but some research shows that North Americans waste 50 per cent more food than Europeans. Reducing the amount of food that is wasted by Canadians will be difficult. There are no government policies that will affect whether you throw out the leftover pizza. Perhaps increasing food prices will be the key to changing these behaviors. We have entered a new world for our food supply. It is far less predictable and less reliable than the old one. We need new, more extensive food stocks to even out the bumps in production. Agricultural production must increase, particularly in developing countries where the food and farm jobs are really needed, along with better ways of preventing food loss. But it is on the consumption side that we must really start to pay attention. We and our governments must start making changes so food doesn't become the new engine of global discontent".

It is very interesting to note that 50% losses in food sector are supposed to take place in both poor as well as rich countries. The major difference is that in poor countries, the loss takes place in the field as well as post harvest handling stages . In contrast food loss in wealthy countries with high proportion of affluent population takes place at the dinner tables across millions of house holds. While better farm technologies and post harvest practices can reduce loss of fresh produce, there is no way one can make any dent in the massive waste by affluent people unless their conscience revolts against them! Agricultural extension services which are so vital to modernize agriculture in most developing countries, are being ignored and this trend must be reversed. Also economic resources so sorely needed for agricultural research must be invested by the governments, not leaving this responsibility to private sector. As for curbing over consumption and dining table wastage of foods in affluent countries, the concerned governments must act to make costlier by removing unnecessary farm subsidies which are not deserved by the rich farming community there. Probably a realization must dawn on the world that peace on this planet will remain a mirage if inequity in food access continues as is happening now.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com