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Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) concluded a landmark two-day Chintan Shivir in Udaipur, Rajasthan, charting a comprehensive strategic roadmap to transform India into a “trusted global supplier” of high-quality food products. Under the chairmanship of Union Minister Shri Chirag Paswan, the summit adopted a “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-industry” approach, bringing together representatives from 22 Central Ministries, 27 State Governments, and over 30 industry leaders. The roadmap emphasizes building a modern, competitive, and inclusive ecosystem aimed at doubling farmer incomes, reducing post-harvest losses, and generating large-scale employment, particularly for youth and women.
Core Strategic Pillars and Roadmap Highlights
Technology-Led Transformation: The Ministry facilitated the release of key publications focused on innovation and enterprise, showcasing technology-driven success stories and start-up grant challenge winners supported by NIFTEM.
Value-Chain Integration: Discussions centered on action-oriented strategies to integrate agri-value chains, enhance processing capacity, and improve ease of doing business for global and domestic investors.
Infrastructure Scaling: The roadmap prioritizes the expansion of modern storage and preservation infrastructure to bridge the gap between farm gate and retail outlet.
Export Strategy: A major focus was set on expanding India’s global export footprint, positioning the nation as a reliable alternative in the international food supply chain.
Collaboration and Learning: Suggestions from states like Bihar, Telangana, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands contributed to a collaborative inter-state learning model for region-specific food processing.
Growth Milestones and Economic Vision (Viksit Bharat@2047)
The food processing sector is projected to be a primary driver of India’s $5 trillion economy goal:
Market Expansion: The sector is expected to grow to US$ 535 billion by the end of FY26 and reach US$ 700 billion by 2030.
Long-Term Projections: According to the “Viksit Bharat@2047” report, the industry is poised to reach US$ 2,150 billion by 2047.
Employment Multiplier: Every ₹1 million invested in food processing creates 1.8 direct and 6.4 indirect jobs across the supply chain.
Processing Targets: India aims to increase its overall processing levels from current levels to 30% by 2047, with a specific focus on high-value horticulture, dairy, and meat.
On the sidelines of the Chintan Shivir, ‘Common Incubation Facility’ was inaugurated at the Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti (KUMS). It is a specialized hub for processing Minor Forestry Products such as custard apple, jamun, amla, and aloe vera. Developed under the PMFME (Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises) scheme, it empowers local entrepreneurs and tribal communities by providing them with the high-end machinery and technical support needed for value addition. By transforming local agri and forest produce into shelf-stable, marketable products, the facility directly supports livelihood generation and sustainable resource utilization in regional economies.
Policy Relevance
The Chintan Shivir roadmap aligns the food processing sector with national goals of self-reliance, sustainability, and food security.
Strategic Impact:
Achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ Goals: By targeting a 30% processing level by 2047, the policy ensures that India’s agricultural abundance translates into higher GDP and reduced waste.
Farmer Income Realization: Strategic linkages between farmers and processors ensure that primary producers receive remunerative prices and are insulated from seasonal price fluctuations.
Enhancing Food Safety: The roadmap emphasizes upgrading Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards to match international benchmarks, essential for global market penetration.
Promoting Entrepreneurship: Targeted support for MSMEs and startups through NIFTEM and PMFME schemes fosters a culture of innovation in Ready-to-Eat (RTE) and millet-based products.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the MoFPI leverage the ‘whole-of-government’ approach to create a unified ‘Green Food Corridor’ that integrates renewable energy-powered cold chains with state-level procurement platforms?
Follow the full news here: MoFPI Chintan Shivir Charts Strategic Roadmap