Union Minister Chirag Paswan has announced expansion plans for the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) across India

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Govt of India, jointly with FICCI and Invest India, organized a curtain raiser press conference on ‘WORLD FOOD INDIA 2024’, on 19th June 2024 at National Media Centre, New Delhi. World Food India 2024 is scheduled to take place from September 19th to 22nd, 2024.

A Website and Mobile App for World Food India 2024 also launched during the curtain raiser.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries launched the first edition of World Food India in 2017to showcase India’s rich food culture and attract investments to the country’s diverse food processing sector. In 2023, the ministry organized the second edition of World Food India to celebrate the International Year of Millets and bring the global food processing industry together.

Mr Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries, Govt of India delivered the keynote address. Also present at the occasion were Mr. Ravneet Singh, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Railways, Government of India, Ms. Anita Praveen, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, and Mr. Minhaj Alam, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India.

India’s food processing sector has great growth potential, but overcoming challenges will be crucial for achieving global dominance. Chirag Paswan, as the new leader, has the opportunity to shape this future. During his keynote address, he highlighted the vital role of the food processing sector in reducing agricultural wastage, promoting value addition, ensuring food security, and strengthening the supply chain from farm to fork. The Government of India through its whole-of-government approach has placed a great emphasis on the holistic development of the value chain across the food & allied sectors and is working towards the goal of Atma Nirbhar and Viksit Bharat.

Recognizing the potential of the food processing sector in transforming India into the world’s food basket, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, has implemented measures to attract investments in various food processing subsegments. These include backward linkages, food processing equipment, processing-related R&D, cold chain storage solutions, start-ups, and logistic & retail chains, covering the entire food processing value chain.

The government wants to have the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) in every state and it is moving ahead with this intention. The Minister also talked about creating more food processing infrastructure in different areas so that local foods and products can be processed locally

Shri Paswan mentioned that the Ministry has been implementing flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLIS), and Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) to support and sustain the growth of this sector. The Minister also discussed the need to establish additional food processing infrastructure in various regions to facilitate the local processing of foods and products. Mr. Paswan expressed his commitment to reducing wastage of vegetables, fruits, and other products over the next five years. He emphasized that his focus will also include improving hygiene, implementing quality checks, and adhering to global standards.

He said that World Food India 2024 is set to be a significant event in the global food industry calendar, taking place in New Delhi. It aims to be a comprehensive platform for stakeholders in the food sector to showcase their products, share knowledge, and forge new partnerships. With India’s strategic position as a large producer of agricultural commodities and a vast consumer base, the event presents a unique opportunity for global and domestic players to connect and explore business prospects. The exhibition will span across multiple halls in Pragati Maidan, offering exhibitors a chance to engage with a diverse audience, including policymakers, investors, and industry leaders. In conjunction with this, the Startup Grand Challenge will encourage innovation within the startup community, providing a stage for emerging entrepreneurs to present their ideas and solutions, potentially shaping the future of the food processing sector. The previous edition’s success, marked by extensive B2B and B2G meetings, thematic sessions, and exhibitions, underscores the event’s role in highlighting India’s capabilities and fostering international collaboration in the food industry. World Food India 2024 promises to build on this foundation, enhancing India’s global food economy presence.

During the event, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Ravneet Singh Bittu, emphasized the global popularity of Indian cuisine and the importance of further strengthening the food processing industry. He highlighted a significant increase in the country’s processed food exports over the past decade. The upcoming World Food India – 2024 event aims to unite the global food processing industry and showcase India’s rich food culture. Additionally, it seeks to promote investments in the diverse food processing sector within the country.

Smt. Anita Praveen, Secretary FPI, emphasized that the WFI 2024 event, following on from the previous edition, is an industry-driven inclusive event hosted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. She expressed gratitude for the tremendous participation in the previous edition and extended an invitation to senior government dignitaries, global investors, business leaders, and stakeholders such as food processors, equipment manufacturers, logistics and cold chain players, technology providers, startups, and food retailers to the 4-day flagship event.