The second edition of “World Food India 2023” was recently inaugurated in New Delhi, marking a significant event in India’s food processing industry. The Prime Minister of India provided Seed Capital Assistance to over one hundred thousand Self Help Group (SHG) members. This followed the successful launch of the first edition of World Food India in 2017 by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
World Food India 2023 is designed as a gateway to the Indian food economy, fostering partnerships between Indian and foreign investors. The event will witness a unique confluence of manufacturers, producers, food processors, investors, policymakers, and organisations from across the globe. Backed by its mascot, MillInd (a probot), the event puts the spotlight on food security and other relevant topics.
Focus Areas of World Food India 2023
The event is observing two main pillars – Shree Anna (Millets) and Exponential Food Processing.
Shree Anna focuses on India’s superfood, Millets, and how it can leverage food security, nutrition security, and sustainability amidst global challenges such as climate change, population growth and malnutrition. In recognition of the same, the United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023).
Under Exponential Food Processing, India aims to emerge as a global hub and bolster components that can support and expedite its food processing industry. Key among these is financing Agri Food value chains and ensuring affordable credit to the food processing sector, primarily focusing on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The Current Landscape and Future Prospects of India’s Food Processing Sector
Owing to the outcomes of World Food India 2023, the Food Processing Sector has gained momentum and recognition and is frequently referred to as the ‘sunrise sector.ā Over the last nine years, foreign direct investments exceeding Rs 50,000 crores have been attracted due to government’s industry-friendly and farmer-centric policies.
Progress under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in the food processing sector has opened new avenues. Ongoing projects under the Agri-Infra Fund focusing on post-harvest infrastructure, with investments exceeding Rs 50,000 crores, show significant promise. Furthermore, investments in processing infrastructure in the fisheries and animal husbandry sector, amounting to thousands of crores, are being encouraged.
Government Initiatives to Boost Food Processing Industry
Several government initiatives are underway to boost the food processing industry. These include the creation of the Agri-Export Policy, development of nationwide logistics and infrastructure, establishment of district-level hubs, expansion of Mega Food Parks, implementation of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, and initiation of Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme.
Previous Year Questions in UPSC Civil Services Examination
In the previous year’s Civil Services Examination, questions related to National Food Security Mission and global rice export trends were asked in prelims. Meanwhile, in the mains, a question was framed around the potential impact of replacing price subsidy with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) on India’s subsidy scenario.
