Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday emphasized India’s triple strength of diversity, demand, and scale in the food processing sector.
Addressing the gathering at the World Food India 2025 at Bharat Mandapam here, the prime minister noted that 25 crore people in India have overcome poverty in the last 10 years and the country is now the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem, with many start-ups working in the food and agriculture sectors.
“India has the triple strength of diversity, demand and scale…..In the last 10 years, 25 crore people in India have overcome poverty…..Today, India is the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem, with many start-ups working in the food and agriculture sectors,” PM Modi said.
He further asserted: “India is continuously contributing to global food security…..Today small farmers are becoming a major force in the market…..In India, cooperatives are giving our dairy sector and our rural economy a new strength.”
The four-day event showcases India’s strengths in food processing, sustainability, and production of nutritious and organic food.
Over Rs 770 crore will be provided to around 26,000 beneficiaries for micro projects in the food processing sector worth over Rs 2,510 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme.
The event features 21 exhibiting countries, including France, Germany, Iran, Australia, and the USA, along with 150 international participants.
Multiple sessions will cover topics like India as a Global Food Processing Hub, Sustainability and Net Zero in Food Processing, and Frontiers in Food Processing.
India’s food processing sector has seen significant growth, with the country emerging as a global leader in processing milk, millets, and pulses. The sector has attracted US $7.33 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the past decade, and exports have touched US $49.4 billion in 2024-26, with processed food making up 20.4 percent of the total share.
The event aims to foster global partnerships, drive investments, and shape the future of food. With its rich agricultural base, strong government support, and growing global collaborations, India is poised to strengthen its position as a Global Food Hub.