MoFPI holds Shillong meeting to discuss ongoing reforms and policy initiatives

The NIFTEM Council meeting deliberated on key institutional and policy matters relating to capacity building, research

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, convened the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee followed by the NIFTEM Council Meeting in Shillong.

The meetings were chaired by Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries, in the presence of senior officers of the ministry including Avinash Joshi, Secretary, MoFPI, and Devesh Deval, Joint Secretary, MoFPI, along with Members of Parliament and other stakeholders.

During the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting, a comprehensive review of the food processing sector was undertaken, including ongoing reforms and policy initiatives of the ministry. A detailed presentation was made on the reforms implemented and proposed by MoFPI, followed by interventions and suggestions from Members of the Committee on strengthening the sector and improving its outreach and impact.

The NIFTEM Council meeting deliberated on key institutional and policy matters relating to capacity building, research, and strengthening of the food processing ecosystem in the country. Members discussed ways to align institutional frameworks with industry requirements and emerging opportunities in the sector.

Addressing the meetings, the minister emphasised the critical role of food processing in reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing value addition in agri produce. He highlighted the need to address existing challenges in the sector, including infrastructure gaps, access to finance, and technological constraints. The Minister also underscored the importance of inter-ministerial coordination to facilitate ease of doing business, and praised the government’s initiatives on rationalisation of GST, streamlining of food safety regulations, and convergence of efforts across departments.

The discussions reflected a shared commitment towards strengthening the food processing sector, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, creating positive perception of processed food and ensuring sustainable growth with greater benefits for farmers and stakeholders across the value chain.

The ministry reaffirmed its focus on accelerating growth in the sector through policy support, institutional strengthening, and collaborative approaches to position India as a global leader in food processing.