26th June, 2023

The Event

The two-day 9th International Soya Food Conference was held in Indore at the Brilliant Convention Centre. The event brought together national and international industry experts, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, decision makers from the government and agricultural industry to discuss the latest advancements in the soy food processing sector, and to explore different avenues for growth and collaboration.

The conference was organised by The Soy Food Promotion and Welfare Association (SFPWA). It is a non profit organisation dedicated to promoting the benefits of soy and soy-based food products improving food and nutrition security in India. The association strives to create awareness, provide support, and foster collaboration among industry stakeholders to promote the soy food sector's growth and development.

Soybean farmers discover opportunities

India faces a serious challenge related to malnutrition and protein deficiency. The event is organised to reflect and research on natural and affordable soybean as a promising option. With its high-quality protein content and low levels of saturated fat, soybean has the potential to improve the health and well-being of the population. In fact, just 250 grams of soybean contains protein equivalent to 3 litres of milk, 0.5 kg of mutton, or 20 eggs. 

The conference was attended by soya farmers who got a chance to understand first-hand how important their produce is for the future. There were dedicated sessions on subjects like global and Indian soya production, demand & supply, soya food processing and utilisation trends, soy Nutrition as well as the role of soy in nutrition intervention programs, innovations, and Start-up Opportunities.

Vezlay wins hearts, and an award

During the conference, SFPWA recognized individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to the soy food sector. Awards were given across various categories, including Tofu, Dairy analogues, Textured Soy Protein, Soy-based Meat Analogues, Protein Supplements, savoury foods, and soy ingredients.

Vezlay Foods Pvt. Ltd. is one of India’s first soy-based mock meat suppliers. Their innovative, ready-to-eat soy food products are widely popular among vegans as well as non-vegans. Their contribution to innovation in soy-based foods was acknowledged by the Soy Food Promotion and Welfare Association by honouring Vezlay with the award for ‘Best Soy-Based Meat Analogues of the Year 2023’.

Vezlay’s Story

During a three-year stay in Europe, Founder Amit Bajaj observed a notable shift in consumer preferences towards vegan and vegetarian diets, accompanied by a growing demand for plant-based meat alternatives. Recognizing a market gap in India, he embarked on three years of extensive research, leading to the launch of Vezlay.

Vezlay's objective is to offer affordable, easily accessible, and nutritious vegan/vegetarian meat substitutes to individuals throughout India. They strive to supply vegetarian and vegan food options that are both nutritious and appealing to the Indian palate. To cater specifically to the Indian market, Vezlay has developed products such as Soya seekh kabab, Soya shammi kabab, and Soya chikka rogan josh.

Find out more about their various offerings here.

A Soy-based Future

According to the Chairman of the Soy Food Promotion and Welfare Association (SFPWA), Sumit Agarwal, there is great anticipation for the upcoming international soy food conference. It is expected to attract a notable group of experts and professionals involved in the global soy value chain. The conference will provide an opportunity to present the latest advancements in soy food processing technologies, market development, and the resolution of industry challenges. Additionally, it aims to explore ways to align the soy sector with the country's food and nutrition security goals.