India set to emerge as a global food basket, says Chirag Paswan at Rising Bharat Summit

Chirag Paswan

Union minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan on Wednesday underlined India's potential to emerge as a global leader in the food processing sector, and thereby present itself as a global food basket.

Speaking at News 18's Rising Bharat Summit in New Delhi, Paswan, responding to a question on the big achievements of his ministry, said India being an agrarian economy has to set up effective post harvest mechanisms, which are still at a nascent stage.

"India’s food processing industry has undergone rapid transformation, driven by its vast agricultural base, rising domestic demand, and supportive government policies. India is poised to emerge as a global leader in the food processing sector, with an impressive growth trajectory. Agriculture sector forms the backbone of the India’s food processing industry," remarked the minister sharing a perspective on the immense possibilities in the sector.

Emhasizing on the importance of his ministry, Paswan said, the food processing sector is a priority under the Make in India initiative, with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries implementing schemes to attract investment and develop infrastructure.

Stressing on the importance of food security, Paswan said nations with holistic capacities -- sowing, harvesting, storage & processing are bound to thrive at a time when the issue of food security gained prominence.

Our aim is to support our farmers while also strengthening the country’s food processing industry. In an agrarian country like India, the food processing industry can play a crucial role in ensuring the economic progress of farmers. Referring to the prime minister's goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, Paswan said the food processing sector will play a significant role in achieving this target.

"Earlier, our farmers faced numerous post-harvest issues, but over the past decade, various new programmes have not only provided post-harvest support but also helped create many entrepreneurs in this sector," the minister noted.

Earlier this year, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting her eighth budget said the Centre is trying to make the country a food basket of the world. Sitharaman said the Centre will establish a National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management in Bihar.