ASSOCHAM organises virtual conference on ‘Global Value Chain: Creating Value Proposition for Food Processing
The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) recently organised a virtual conference on ‘Global Value Chain: Creating Value Proposition for Food Processing.
Speaking at the event, Pashupati Kumar Paras, Minister, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) stated that food processing has an important role to play in linking Indian farmers to consumers in the domestic and international markets. “India’s food processing sector is one of the largest in the world and its output is expected to reach $ 535 billion by 2025-26,” he said.
“The $600 billion food processing industry employ 7+ million people with around 15 lakh women, directly or indirectly and has been contributing to 12.8 per cent of the Indian GDP,” said the minister.
He added, “The production of horticulture crops in India was estimated at a record 320.48 million metric tonnes in FY20 as per second advance estimates. India has the largest livestock population of around 535.78 million, which translates to around 31 per cent of the world population. Milk production in the country is expected to increase to 208 MT in FY21 from 198 MT in FY20, registering a growth of 10 per cent year-on-year.”
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is making all efforts to encourage investments across the value chain. The industry engages approximately 1.93 millionn people in around 39,748 registered units with fixed capital of $32.75 billion and aggregate output of around $158.60 billion.
The minister added, “The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the critical importance of food safety and the management of food surpluses in the country. To this end, the sector’s policy measures have shifted the focus from livelihood to processing, distribution, and marketing.”
Anil Rajput, Chairman, FMCG council ASSOCHAM, mentioned, “The market structure of Indian food sector is again in the spotlight, by not only becoming a key connection between agriculture and manufacturing sector but also its emergence and acceptance as a giant e-commerce prospect for the final consumer.”
Himanshu Priyadarshi, Senior Member, ASSOCHAM & Director Public, Policy & Government Affairs, PepsiCo said, “As the global population continues to expand, food processors will be challenged to continue to improve productivity. To this date, the food supply chain has shown itself to be remarkably adaptive to evolving consumer demands and emerging challenges including the disruptions due to COVID 19.”
Vivek Chandra, CEO, Global Branded Business, LT Foods & Co-chair, National Food Processing Council said, “The government took various steps to facilitate agricultural exports during the COVID-19 period. The validity of various certifications/ accreditations was extended beyond the expiry dates. Control rooms were set up to resolve problems faced by the exporters etc.”
Dr Ombeer Tyagi, Sr Member ASSOCHAM emphasised the need for a complete value chain from folk to farm to bring remunerative packages to the farmers and realise the full potential of the sector.
