Plant-based foods sector seeks government’s support for establishing ‘task force’

India’s 1st Plant Based Foods Summit organised by MoFPI, APEDA and PBFIA takes place in New Delhi

A white position paper “The Dawn of a Plant-Based Age – India to lead the way to world food security and nutrition” was released during India’s 1st Plant Based Foods Summit supported by Ministry of Food Processing Industries Government of India (MOFPI), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The Summit was organized by the Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) and Good Food Institute India (GFI India) as organizing partner, at New Delhi on 26^th May.

Amongst many recommendations made for the government of India to support the plant-based foods sector, creation of a plant-based task force has been made in this paper.

“The plant-based foods sector in India would significantly benefit from the creation of a Plant-based Task Force, with the aim to promote a comprehensive and unified response of the government and plant-based community in achieving India’s protein security through plant-based foods”, said Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director – PBFIA.

According to the white paper, the task force would include collaboration between the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA). The focus of the task force would be to promote research in processing of pulses and millets and to build a Centre of Excellence in plant proteins.

While inaugurating the summit, Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti said, “By minimising compliance, we can quickly develop this industry. I am urging the need to develop the scientific parameters and supply chains that will allow us to showcase the Indian cuisine culture that has represented us for centuries.”