Need to focus more on food processing sector: Union minister Chirag Paswan

Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Thursday stressed on the need to focus more on the food processing sector as it has the potential to enhance farmers’ income, create jobs and reduce wastage of agriculture as well as horticulture crops.

Addressing an event organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Food Processing Industries Minister highlighted that the government in the last 12 years has taken various measures for the growth of this sector, including 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI).

However, he said, “we have a long way to go” as he promised to continue reform process for ease of doing business. Paswan said there is a need to focus more on the food processing sector, as it can address multiple challenges such as increasing farmers’ income, reducing food wastage and creation of employment opportunities.

He asked food companies to expand their business to tap the immense potential in this sector but warned them of making any compromise on quality.

The minister said the processing units need to be established close to the farmers’ agriculture field.

Paswan reiterated on the need to strongly counter the false narrative on social media that all processed food products are bad.

“For us, processed food means value creation,” Paswan asserted.

On Wednesday, the minister had said the government is targeting to double food processing level to 25 per cent in next five years.

At the event, Rajeev Singh, Director General of the ICC, underlined the role of trade and technology in reshaping the farm sector.

“Two-thirds of our population still depends on agriculture, and the gaps we speak of most often are at the farm level and in the movement of produce from farm to market. What is transforming this space today is technology and access to information,” he said.

With nine free trade agreements now in place with more than 32 countries, Singh said India’s agriculture exports are set for a real shift, and that will benefit growers and the wider economy.