Union Minister Chirag Paswan has stressed that Indian food products have a wide global scope, and the country’s food processing capability will be essential in getting Indian products to international markets. Speaking on the sidelines of an Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) event in New Delhi, he said the government’s plan to strengthen food processing is to develop food processing in India to boost exports and minimize post-harvest losses.
Paswan told the media that India has an array of agricultural and food products that are very good at having worldwide recognition and that are ripe for global exposure for export. But such products must now be processed to increase shelf life and for transportation and distribution on a domestic and international level, and the country needs to focus on processing, especially in some perishable items, to make them available for export and distribution in domestic and international markets and make them more palatable to the consumer and commercial market, he said.
VIDEO | Delhi: Union Minister Chirag Paswan, after attending an Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) event, says, "Indian food products have immense potential for global recognition. However, to achieve global reach, it is essential to process these products, especially perishable… pic.twitter.com/jaTf2QqfRD
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The minister said that extending the shelf life of food products under current processing techniques will not only reduce wastage but will also help Indian producers to access new export opportunities as a result of modern processing methods for the development of food products and the food industry. Food processing also contributes to food processing as it makes agricultural products more competitive in international markets, and farmers will benefit from a better price-realisation process as well, he added, which will make them much better able to sell them.
The ministry is working with a clear vision of food processing infrastructure, technology innovation and an ecosystem that promotes the growth of India's food processing industry, Paswan said. In the future, a company like this will not only play a role in the country’s agriculture value chain but also in processing food exports, which will help to boost the economy.
India is one of the world’s largest producers of fruits, vegetables, cereals, dairy products and spices. However, due to insufficient storage, transportation and processing facilities, a considerable quantity of agricultural produce is lost. Thus, strengthening food processing infrastructure and reducing losses is an area of focus.
The minister also stressed the necessity to develop robust cold chain logistics, modern packaging technologies and efficient supply chain networks to get Indian food products to consumers around the world. Better infrastructure will help keep freshness and quality intact and also during transportation, he said.
Food processing experts have long argued that expanding food processing capacity can generate multiple economic benefits such as raising farmer income, employment opportunities, greater rural industrialization and better export performance. Food security is also supported by agricultural product utilization, and the sector also contributes to food security.
The government’s continued focus on food processing is consistent with the larger agenda of value-added production and food industry competitiveness in the world. Policymakers want to make India a leading food processing region, that is to say, to foster investment, innovation and infrastructure development.
India's large and diverse agricultural base is the backbone of the country’s economy, and if consumer appetite for packaged and processed foods increases worldwide, it is also one of the best platforms for exporters. Paswan’s comments also underscore the government’s motivation for harnessing these capabilities and developing a better understanding of Indian food.
Food processing is expected to become a major driver of agricultural growth, export expansion and economic development with continued investment in technology, logistics and processing infrastructure, and will help Indian products to shine and become more globally known.
