As another indication of India's growing importance in the international arena, Indian is hosting the first Global Agro Industries Forum (GAIF-2008), in New Delhi from April 8 th to 11 th 2008, announced Dr. Mangala Rai, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and DG, ICAR and Dr. P. K. Mishra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural & Cooperation while addressing a joint press conference, here today.

The representatives of three United Nations agencies, Food and Agriculture Origination (FAO), United Nation's Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), who are co-sponsors of this prestigious meet, were also present. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries; Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries are also supporting the four day global meet, where about 500 delegates from 100 countries will be sharing their experiences and preparing strategies for institutionalizing agro-processing in production catchments as an essential link in the production to consumption value chain.

One of the highlights of the GAIF-2008 is that Director-General, FAO will be conferring FAO's highest award ‘Agricola Medal' on Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India in a special function being organized in Vigyan Bhavan during on April 10, 2008 at 4 pm for his policies and programmes to alleviate poverty and hunger.

(PR Unit /April/2008)