INDIA- The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has inaugurated the Soy Excellence Center (SEC) in India to advance skill development within the protein industry.
Positioned as a catalyst for sustainable growth in India’s food and agricultural sectors, this initiative targets early-to-mid-career professionals, aligning with the nation’s ‘Skills India’ initiative to fortify the skill sets of its burgeoning youth workforce.
Amidst projections forecasting a 15% surge in global protein demand by 2031, the establishment of the SEC underscores a concerted effort to address the pressing educational challenges confronting the food production landscape.
By leveraging USSEC’s expansive network and expertise, including similar centers worldwide, the SEC endeavors to foster community health and nutrition across emerging markets like India through strategic workforce development and training initiatives.
The SEC in India is poised to emerge as a cornerstone for capacity building and market expansion within the food and agricultural supply chains. Offering comprehensive training modules spanning poultry, feed milling, aquaculture, and soy food and beverage processing, the center aims to equip professionals with specialized skill sets tailored to industry-specific demands.
Leveraging a multifaceted approach encompassing modular training resources, live seminars, workshops, and access to a global network of industry stalwarts, the SEC seeks to empower individuals with the requisite knowledge and expertise to navigate the complexities of the modern protein industry landscape.
Kevin Roepke, Regional Director – South Asia & Sub-Saharan Africa at USSEC, emphasized that the launch of the SEC in India signifies more than mere collaboration; it heralds a transformative journey towards economic empowerment and skills enhancement within the agribusiness domain.
Roepke envisions the SEC as a pivotal enabler in nurturing India’s youthful workforce, bridging critical skill gaps, and unlocking new avenues for sustainable growth and prosperity.
Vijay Anand, Lead of the Soy Excellence Center in India, underscored the center’s commitment to delivering unparalleled training experiences tailored to industry-specific requirements.
With a scarcity of specialized training programs addressing the unique needs of the protein industry, the SEC aims to fill this void by imparting practical knowledge and skills through meticulously curated training programs and global resources.
The launch of the SEC in India has garnered widespread acclaim from industry luminaries, with Suresh Chitturi, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Srinivasa Farms and President of the International Egg Commission, expressing optimism about the transformative impact of the initiative.
Anticipating a surge in growth opportunities within India’s food and agricultural sector, Chitturi lauded the SEC’s role in positioning India as a formidable player in the global agribusiness arena.
Todd Main, Director of Market Development at the Illinois Soybean Association, lauded the establishment of the SEC in India as a watershed moment, underscoring the nation’s pivotal role as both a market and a strategic business ally.
Main emphasized that empowering India’s agriculture and soy value chain is instrumental in fostering a thriving agribusiness ecosystem capable of meeting the escalating demands of the global populace.
As the SEC embarks on its mission to nurture talent, foster innovation, and drive sustainable growth within India’s protein industry landscape, it not only underscores USSEC’s unwavering commitment to excellence but also paves the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for India’s burgeoning agribusiness sector.
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