100% FDI decision in food processing sector will play a big role in doubling farmers’ income by 2022: Minister
Aspire to turn India into the food factory for the world in the next few years: Minister
I am looking at a market that goes to the farmer’s doorsteps: Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal
Food Processing Industries Minister inaugurates 31st edition of AAHAR
Highest ever participation in International Food and Hospitality Fair 2016
Amidst the global slowdown, India continues to be one bright spot. Many foreign players whom I met at international food expositions, requested me to put in a word, so that they can participate in AAHAR. This is testimony to the changed global outlook towards India and the strengthening of ‘Brand India’, thanks to the global outreach of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Under his leadership, the Government has worked hard to create an environment conducive to the growth of the economy. The food processing sector in India is going to be one bright spot which will propel this growth.
- Union Food Processing Industries Minister, Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, at inauguration of AAHAR 2016
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Inaugurating the International Food and Hospitality Fair 2016, being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, the Minister said that the Budget decision to allow 100% FDI in multi-brand retail for food products produced and processed in India will play a catalytic role in leapfrogging Indian economy. She underlined that the decision pertains to FDI in 100% swadeshi and home-grown food.
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The average Indian spends 40% of his income on eatables, and only 10% of what we grow is processed in India. Recalling these facts, the Minister pointed to the huge opportunity that beckons investors. She said that the FDI decision would give a boost to the sector, and would contribute to the eventual aim of uplifting farmers and doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
I wish I did not have to go the market; I wish the market came to me.
Recalling the big market access challenge that India’s farmers face, Smt. Badal said that she is looking at a market that goes to the farmer’s doorsteps, an industry that chases the farmer. She said that the 100% FDI decision would usher in a partnership between industry and farmers, play a huge role in creating backward infrastructure linkages and plugging wastages, thereby improving the farmers’ prospects.
The Minister spoke also of the e-marketing platform that is slated to be launched in April 2016, hailing it as a revolutionary initiative by the Prime Minister. She said that the digital platform will integrate 585 regulated markets, providing farmers and traders with access to opportunities for purchase/ sale of agri-commodities at optimal prices in a transparent manner. Smt. Badal spoke also of the Government’s vision to tap the potential for organic farming in North East India.
Stating that 42 Mega Food Parks are coming up, the Minister said that foreign players can tie up with these parks in pursuing ‘Make In India’, even for specific nations of their choice. This would be facilitated by the plug-and-play model under which these parks would operate, wherein common infrastructural facilities would be provided. Smt. Badal said that she aspires to turn India into the food factory for the world in the next few years.
Aspire to turn India into the food factory for the world in the next few years
- Union Food Processing Industries Minister, Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal
The Minister congratulated the India Trade Promotion Organization for the unprecedented participation response to AAHAR 2016, especially with its focus on new and young entrepreneurs, and added attractions such as a Culinary Art Competition.
The Chairman and Managing Director, ITPO, Shri L. C. Goyal said that AAHAR has transformed from a trade promotion event to a growth propelling event. He said that it has become India’s best known brand in food and hospitality sector, having acquired a prominent place in the global calendar of international expositions.
Shri Goyal said that the decision to allow 100% FDI in the sector would have a huge multiplier effect, by reducing post-harvest wastage, helping crop diversification, incentivizing global players to invest and produce in India and by creating a large number of jobs. He said that this would also help the other objectives of Make in India, Skill India and Start up India.
The Chairman said that ITPO’s role is being reoriented, with introduction of e-tendering and e-refunds. He said that the proposal to redevelop Pragati Maidan Complex into a world-class exhibition-cum-convention complex is at an advanced stage of consideration. He underlined that the administration will not allow any event to be adversely affected, due to the redevelopment project. Noting that AAHAR 2016 has broken previous records in terms of both number of exhibitors and space given to exhibitors, Shri Goyal said that the new motto of ITPO is ‘Better and Bigger’.
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