Mumbai: Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti Prahlad Singh Patel has said that the Central government is aware that Indian food processing, especially the unorganized sector has major women participation, and we are taking steps to make it an organized sector.

“We need to increase the pace to achieve the set goals. This can be achieved with reduction of compliances, more communication with the government and the stakeholders, finding timely solutions to challenges,” he added, while addressing the 14th FICCI Food World India - The Global Convention for Food Business and Industry’ here recently.

Patel asserted that there is a need to enhance the marketing and branding of the Indian food processing sector and products. “The government is fully committed to support the industry and find solutions to the problems,” he added. Patel stated that we also need to further simplify the existing schemes by removing the bottlenecks and industry will play a critical role in this.

To boost the sector, he added that the government has already step-up incubation centers to support the industry and innovations, he noted. The government, Patel said, is taking continuous steps to improve the food processing sector including introduction of PLI scheme for the sector. He further stressed on taking measures to not only cater to the domestic markets but also global demand for processed foods.

The Minister further said that the Indian food processing sector will be the backbone in achieving the $5 trillion economy target. He stated that the focus of the government is to ensure reducing compliances to support the industry and the sector. “There is a need to further strengthen the trust in the consumers for processed foods and the government along with industry have to work towards it,” he added.

Siraj Hussain, former Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, said that the Indian food processing industry played an important role during Covid-19. He also stressed on improving and creating a market for the primary food processing market.

“Unless we encourage the primary food processing market, we will not be able to establish a direct linkage of the food processing sector with the farmers,” he added. Hussain also highlighted that there is a need to develop new products in the food processing sector to solve India’s nutritional status.

Hemant Mallik, Chair, FICCI Food Processing Committee and CEO- Food Division, ITC Ltd, said that focus on innovation, digital adoption and nutrition are key mantra for the industry to succeed. Srinandan Sundaram, Co-Chair, FICCI Food Process Committee and ED-F&R for HUL & VP-F&R for Unilever, South Asia, said that the Indian food processing industry is growing, and the industry is willing to work with the government to further improve the sector. /BI/