MoFPI Reviews Food Processing Sector Progress At Shillong Meet

The meetings were chaired by Union Minister Chirag Paswan and attended by senior ministry officials, Members of Parliament, and other stakeholders. Sector Review And Policy Discussions During the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting, a comprehensive review of the food processing sector was undertaken, covering ongoing reforms and policy initiatives. A detailed presentation highlighted measures implemented by the ministry, followed by suggestions from committee members on strengthening the sector’s outreach and impact. The NIFTEM Council meeting focused on institutional and policy issues related to capacity building, research, and ecosystem development, with discussions centred on aligning frameworks with industry requirements and emerging opportunities. Focus On Challenges And Reforms Addressing the participants, Paswan emphasised the role of food processing in reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing value addition in agricultural produce. He also flagged key challenges, including infrastructure gaps, limited access to finance, and technological constraints. The minister underscored the need for inter-ministerial coordination to improve ease of doing business, while noting government efforts such as GST rationalisation, streamlining of food safety regulations, and convergence across departments. The ministry reiterated its commitment to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth in the sector, with a focus on benefiting farmers and stakeholders across the value chain. (KNN Bureau)