Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hosted an industry interaction with Dr. Subrata Gupta, IAS, Union Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India on Monday, 10th March 2025 at The Lalit Great Eastern, Kolkata. The session focused on strengthening India’s food processing sector, reducing wastage and enhancing value addition for farmers and entrepreneurs. Other notable figures including D. Praveen, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India; Deepti Thakur, Senior Manager, Invest India; Shrikant Goenka, Chairman, Agriculture & Food Processing, Indian Chamber of Commerce; and Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Subrata Gupta, IAS, Union Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, said, “While processing is sometimes criticised, it has been part of our culture for centuries—our grandmothers made pickles, papads and batters to preserve and enhance food. Today, India is one of the largest producers of rice, wheat, milk, fish and meat, yet we process only around 10% of our total food production. This low processing rate leads to wastage and loss of income for farmers. Processing ensures better price realisation for farmers and a wider variety of food for consumers. Despite our strength in production, processing levels vary—21% in milk, 36% in meat but only 34% in fruits and vegetables. Fresh food is ideal, but not always accessible. Processing fills this gap, allowing us to enjoy seasonal produce year-round. This gap also presents immense opportunities for entrepreneurs. A small entrepreneur I met in Madhya Pradesh turned pumpkin and bottle gourd into powder, supplying both domestic and international markets with an annual turnover of ₹300 crores. Stories like his highlight the vast potential in food processing. The demand for processed food is growing, especially with urbanisation and changing lifestyles. People seek quick, nutritious options, creating a market for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products. Recognising this, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has launched multiple initiatives to support businesses of all sizes. The PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme has already helped over 1.24 lakh small businesses. Larger initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana provide end-to-end infrastructure support, including cold storage, processing units and food testing labs. The food processing sector is resilient, as seen during COVID 19 when demand remained strong. It is a sector with immense potential, driven by increasing consumer demand, abundant raw materials and supportive government policies. The future of food is here and it is processed, innovative and promising.”
D. Praveen, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, said, “Kolkata, known for its rich culinary heritage, is a major producer of rice, pineapple, brinjal, cauliflower and globally recognised brands like Darjeeling tea. However, despite our strengths, India remains one of the largest contributors to food wastage. Strengthening food processing is key to reducing this and increasing farmers’ income. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries is committed to fostering growth across micro, small, medium and large enterprises. Under the ₹10,000 crore PMFME scheme, 140 micro entrepreneurs in West Bengal have received assistance, along with 1,800 SHG members benefiting from seed capital. For SMEs, PMKSY supports infrastructure development, with 50 projects approved in West Bengal, 40 completed and over ₹900 crores invested. Additionally, under the PLI scheme, six projects with an investment of ₹180 crores have been sanctioned. To boost market access and collaboration, the Ministry launched World Food India—a global platform for industry stakeholders. The 2024 edition expanded to 70,000 sq. meters with 1,587 exhibitors, hosting technical sessions, G2G, B2G and B2B meetings, along with the Global Food Regulatory Summit. Encouraged by industry response, we are making World Food India an annual event. The next edition, scheduled for September 25–28, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, aims to exceed 1 lakh sq. meters. This is India’s premier food processing platform—our own global opportunity.”
Deepti Thakur, Senior Manager, Invest India, said, “World Food India 2024 showcased India’s food processing potential with innovation, sustainability, and global partnerships. The event saw participation from 10 Indian ministries, 26 states & UTs, 16 international delegations, and 20 exhibiting countries, with Japan, Iran, and Vietnam as Partner and Focus Countries. Over 809 international buyers from 109 countries took part in 80,000+ reverse buyer-seller meetings. Four Partner States (Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh) and seven Focus States exhibited their strengths, alongside 1,500+ exhibitors across 70,000 sq. meters. The Start-up Grand Challenge 2.0 and a high-level round table with 100+ industry leaders further drove sectoral growth. Key highlights included 40 thematic sessions with 250+ speakers, six bilateral meetings and the India-Japan Joint Working Group on agriculture. The Great Indian Food Street featured celebrity chefs, while MoUs were signed between NIFTY and industry stakeholders. Building on its 2024 success, World Food India 2025 will expand to 100,000 sq. meters at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from 25th to 28th September.”
Shrikant Goenka, Chairman, Agriculture & Food Processing, Indian Chamber of Commerce, said, “This session holds special significance as we engage with a ministry that plays a pivotal role in bridging agriculture and industry—a connection that directly impacts India’s farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers. The food processing sector is a key driver of economic growth, contributing significantly to the Gross Value Added (GVA) of our country and emerging as one of India’s Sunrise Industries. The ministry’s initiatives, such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the Food Processing Industry, Mega Food Parks and Cold Chain Infrastructure, are instrumental in strengthening organised linkages between farms and factories. These efforts ensure that agricultural produce is processed efficiently, reducing wastage and enhancing value addition at every stage. India is already the world’s largest producer of milk, second largest producer of fruits and vegetables and a global leader in grains and spices. However, without robust food processing capabilities, much of this potential remains underutilised. The ministry’s leadership in policy formulation, infrastructure development and technology promotion is therefore crucial in transforming our agricultural abundance into higher farm incomes, increased exports and greater employment opportunities. For us in the industry, food processing is not just a business opportunity—it is a national priority. It ensures food security, empowers rural entrepreneurs and enhances India’s global standing in the agri-food sector.”
Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce, said, “The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has various arms, including NIFTEM, CFT, APEDA, state governments, NABARD and other key players who can provide guidance, support and mentorship to businesses in the sector. With World Food India on the horizon, ICC is eager to contribute in every possible way, as the Ministry deems fit.”
