During her talk to the FICCI Scientific Symposium on “Processed Foods for Purpose,” Anita Praveen, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing, emphasised the critical importance of research and development (R&D) in promoting the Indian food processing sector. Praveen emphasised the sector’s potential for significant growth and its standing as a key area in India’s agricultural landscape, as well as the necessity for it to focus on R&D in order to accelerate its trajectory. “The food processing industry has emerged as a significant development driver. While we have achieved excelle ..read more

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed a series of initiatives in the interim budget for fiscal year 2024–25, and one of the most important is focusing on driving India’s agriculture and allied sectors. The emphasis includes the widespread application of nano DAP for diverse crops, building on the success of nano urea introduced in FY21. The budget also encourages private-public investments in modern agriculture to mitigate post-harvest losses, enhance storage capabilities, and introduce a comprehensive programme to support dairy farmers. Key Highlights: ·     &n ..read more

Arunachal Pineapple Festival to Become an Annual Event Organized by State Horticulture Department Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu revealed plans for the establishment of a mini-food park in the West Siang district. The park will feature food processing units catering to all produce from the Siang Belt. CM Khandu made this declaration during the closing ceremony of the Arunachal Pineapple Festival, held for the first time at Bagra as a community initiative in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh Marketing Board. During his address, CM Khandu commended the All Bagra Welfare Soci ..read more

India’s exports of processed food have witnessed an impressive growth of 150% over the past nine years, according to Piyush Goyal, the Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles. Goyal attributed this remarkable surge to the country’s diverse food industry and the escalating global demand for Indian culinary delights. Highlighting the pivotal role of large-scale food processing, product branding, and a focused approach to exports, Minister Goyal stressed the importance of providing enhanced value to farmers, creating employment opportun ..read more

Major consumer goods companies are revamping their approaches to overcome sluggish sales after cashing in on the government’s encouragement to boost millet consumption. The challenges include consumer perceptions of bland taste, high pricing, and difficulties in integrating millets into existing products without altering flavour or compromising shelf life. Packaged food companies are recalibrating their millet-based product strategies after facing initial hurdles. Many have revisited their plans, relaunched products, and introduced 10–20 packs to encourage trials and raise awareness about heal ..read more

In a retrospective glance at the gastronomic backdrop of 2023, various culinary trends took the limelight, bringing a diverse array of flavours and innovations to the dining table. 2023 food trends covered the rise of millets, the K-Food phenomenon, the surge in protein-centric offerings, and much more. As 2023 ends, millets emerge as the star player in the food scene, capturing the attention and taste buds of the nation. Major food brands and startups alike incorporated ragi, foxtail, barnyard, and kodo millet into an array of products, from dosa mixes to atta to breakfast cereals. The millet ..read more

Approximately 30 companies, including 22 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), are reaping the benefits of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aimed at the manufacturing of millet-based products in India. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries revealed that the Production-Linked Incentive for Millet-Based Products (PLISMBP) has successfully attracted companies, encouraging the utilization of millets in Ready to Cook/Ready to Eat (RTC/RTE) products, with an allocated budget of Rs. 1,000 crores. The PLISMBP initiative, which was approved in August and is a carve-out from the ..read more

In line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan initiative, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is actively executing the centrally sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme. This initiative, aimed at fostering financial, technical, and business support, focuses on establishing and upgrading microfood processing enterprises across the nation. With a dedicated budget of Rs 10,000 crore spanning five years from 2020–21 to 2024–25, the scheme aims to support 2 lakh microfood processing enterprises. To strengthen the local food processing sector, the ..read more

As a prelude to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Gujarat is set to host a seminar on agro and food processing in Anand on December 7, 2023. The event, titled ‘Leveraging Logistic Strength of Gujarat for Agro and Food Processing Sector,’ aims to showcase the state’s advantages in this sector and provide a platform for investors and businesses to explore opportunities. Raghavji Patel, the state’s agriculture and animal husbandry minister, highlighted that the seminar will bring together around 1,500 delegates from across the country. With over 30,000 food processing units already established i ..read more

In a recent development, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has announced an extension of the deadline for the submission of online proposals seeking financial assistance for infrastructure projects in the food processing sector under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna (PMKSY). Investors and entrepreneurs now have until December 15, 2023, at 5 p.m. to submit their bids, providing a valuable opportunity for those interested in participating in the initiative. A notice issued by the MoFPI states, “The closing date for submission of online proposals against the Expression of I ..read more