The World Food India, a global event, promises a significant convergence of innovation, technology, and sustainability in the food processing sector.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan said the government is trying to boost growth in the food processing sector. It plays a vital role in enhancing farmers’ income and creating employment opportunities.
Inaugurating the third edition of World Food India 2024, Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan assured that the government will take more steps to grow this important sector further, tackle challenges including misleading ads and tax rates, and ensure ease of doing business.
The event is being held from September 19-22 and will see participation from over 90 countries.
“India comes with an opportunity where we can collaborate together. Being an agro-based country, where the farmers are the backbone in terms of production, there’s an abundance. How do we convert this abundance into opportunity? Is what we are targeting, is what we are aiming towards,” he said.
Paswan said the World Food India event provides opportunities to collaborate and share ideas as well as new technologies.
“… we are here with an open mind to collaborate, to take this industry to a level which provides opportunities for everyone to eradicate the hunger, to eradicate the misleading concepts associated with this industry,” Paswan said.
In a video message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has a vibrant and diverse food culture, and the farmers are the backbone of the country’s food ecosystem. He said the government supports farmers with innovative policies and focused implementation.
Mr Modi highlighted the importance of progressive agricultural practices, strong administrative frameworks, and cutting-edge technologies, saying that the government has initiated wide-ranging reforms to transform the food processing sector. He said the government is creating a strong ecosystem of modern infrastructure and robust supply chains generating employment opportunities in the country.
The Prime Minister pointed towards 100 per cent FDI in the food processing sector, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises, and Production Linked Incentive scheme for food processing industries. The Prime Minister said the government empowers small enterprises to become an integral part of the global value chain.
Additionally, the organisation of Global Food Regulators Summit by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India – FSSAI will bring together global regulators including WHO, FAO and several prestigious domestic institutes to discuss a wide gamut of issues such as food safety, quality standards and best practices, the PM said .
Addressing the gathering at World Food India 2024, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, welcomed global dignitaries and highlighted India’s remarkable journey in achieving food security, sustainability, and innovation. He reiterated the government’s commitment to secure good quality food for domestic and global consumers, ensuring a hunger-free world. He emphasized ensuring the welfare of farmers through initiatives aimed at boosting incomes, improving access to technology and providing fair prices for their produce.
He said it is a commendable initiative to recognise the potential of the Food and Processing sector. Joshi stressed the need to increase the quality and branding of the processing product. He expressed hope that the country will achieve newer heights in the food and processing sector in the coming years.
Stating that this sector has immense growth potential, Joshi urged the young generation to become food processing entrepreneurs and job providers.
The event is going to serve as a major networking and business platform for government bodies, industry professionals, farmers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to engage in discussions, establish partnerships, and explore investment opportunities in the agri-food sector.
World Food India 2024 will host over 40 knowledge sessions, including thematic discussions and state and country-specific conferences.
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