TNAPEx Signs Strategic MoUs with Premier Institutions to Boost Innovation and Exports in Tamil Nadu’s Agri and Food Processing Sectors

The Tamil Nadu Food Processing and Agri Export Promotion Corporation (TNAPEx), operating under the MSME Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu, serves as a one-stop facilitation entity to promote and enable exports in agriculture, horticulture, food processing, dairy, poultry, fisheries, and allied sectors. TNAPEx’s primary objective is to globalise Tamil Nadu’s food processing businesses.

In a significant step towards achieving this goal, TNAPEx has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four premier institutions—Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management – Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), and Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU). The MoUs were signed in the presence of Dr. Atul Anand, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, MSME Department.

The event was graced by several distinguished dignitaries, including Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras; Dr. N. Felix, Vice Chancellor of TNJFU; Dr. R. Narendra Babu, Registrar of TANUVAS; Dr. V. Palanimuthu, Director of NIFTEM–Thanjavur; and Dr. K. Alagusundaram, Managing Director & CEO of TNAPEx, all of whom pledged their institutional support for this strategic collaboration.

These MoUs are aimed at driving innovation, integrating advanced technologies, and promoting value addition across Tamil Nadu’s agri-food ecosystem by leveraging the academic and research excellence of the partner institutions. Through these transformative partnerships, more than 500 food processing MSMEs will receive comprehensive support in areas such as supply chain management (input and output), branding, packaging, marketing, new product development, and more.

With a strong focus on food processing, sustainable agriculture, modern packaging, logistics, technical training, and innovations in dairy, meat, and fisheries, these collaborations align closely with TNAPEx’s mission to enhance Tamil Nadu’s food processing capabilities and boost agricultural export potential.

This strategic initiative reflects Tamil Nadu’s vision to emerge as a national hub for the export of agricultural and processed food products by synergising institutional expertise with grassroots enterprise—empowering farmers, producers, and MSMEs to compete in global markets.

Issued by:
Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR)
Secretariat, Chennai – 9