Page 10 - FPM June 2025

10 EDITORIAL June 2025
Food Processing News Today
Bihar will play a pivotal role in positioning India as

global food basket: Paswan

aintaining that the sanctioned a record 10,270 information. The DyCM invited
vision of a 'viksit loans worth Rs 624.42 crore investors to positively consider
MBihar' is inseparable under the Pradhan Mantri the state as a promising and
India's FP Reducing Machinery Imports from 'viksit Bharat', Union Formalisation of Micro Food future-ready investment
Minister Chirag Paswan said the Processing Enterprises (PMFME) destination.
ndia must build domestic capabilities in food processing
state's fertile land and s c h e m e t o m i c r o f o o d Bihar Industries Minister Nitish
machinery to reduce its heavy dependence on imports, even as the
entrepreneurial spirit will play a processing units in Bihar—the Mishra said, "Bihar has the
Icountry leverages its agricultural strength to emerge as a global
pivotal role in positioning India highest for any state in the potential to become the growth
leader in food processing, a senior government official said. "Despite
as a global food basket. country. engine of East India". He
our success in production and exports, we remain heavily dependent on The Union Minister of Food He said that this is not a mere mentioned the presence of a
imported food processing machinery. It is crucial that the industry and Processing Industries said this coincidence, but the result of Government of India-approved
government work together to build domestic capabilities and improve while inaugurating the two-day the government's focused push Mega Food Park at Muzaffarpur
quality and scale," said Devesh Deval, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food 'International Buyer Seller Meet to translate the vision of viksit and encouraged investors to
Processing Industries, at the National Conference on Food Tech (IBSM)' here. Bihar into ground-level impact. leverage Bihar's industrial
organised by ASSOCHAM. Deval emphasised that India's agricultural This 'International Buyer Seller It reflects both the ministry's infrastructure. He mentioned
prowess must now translate into global leadership in food processing Meet' is not just a trade event, it resolve to strengthen rural the state's investor-ready
through advanced technology integration. "We welcome inputs from is a turning point for rural enterprise and the resounding ecosystem and the proactive
stakeholders and are open to facilitating broader consultations to prosperity, he said. trust that Bihar's micro- allotment of land within seven
identify concrete, actionable steps. What matters is taking timely and Reflecting on Bihar's rich entrepreneurs have placed in days through the Single Window
civilisation, Paswan highlighted the policies of the government, Clearance System.
measurable action to strengthen every link in the food processing value
its historic leadership in shaping Paswan added. Significantly, 12 companies
chain," he added. The conference saw the launch of a dedicated national
the nation. Drawing a parallel with the announced procurement
stakeholder consultation portal by the Food Safety and Standards
"Being the land of Aryabhatta, ancient glory of Nalanda, where commitments for rice, pulses,
Authority of India (FSSAI) to gather inputs for more inclusive and
Sita Mata, Chanakya, Lord scholars from across the world spices, fruits, vegetables, and
implementable food regulations. Alka Rao, Advisor (Science &
Mahavira and Lord Buddha — once came in pursuit of makhana from Bihar, marking a
Standards & Regulations), FSSAI, stressed that food regulation and
Bihar has always shown the way. knowledge, he remarked that breakthrough in long-term
technology must evolve collaboratively. She underlined the importance
That same potential will now the newly announced National sourcing partnerships with
of creating structured, accessible databases and ensuring responsible
power the growth of food Institute of Food Technology, countries. Seventy international
use of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, with due caution
processing sector in the state. E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p a n d buyers representing 20
regarding bias and data gaps. "FSSAI is already taking concrete steps to We envision Bihar's youth to Management (NIFTEM) in Bihar countries, including six global
integrate technology in regulatory processes," Rao said, calling for become job creators, not job will carry forward that legacy. retail chains, alongside 50
collective action from government, industry, experts and small and seekers. We will ensure every "From being the land of wisdom domestic and 20 institutional
medium enterprises to build data-driven, tech-enabled food safety investor is fully facilitated by the to becoming a hub of innovation buyers, are attending the meet.
systems. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export government," said the union in food, Bihar is once again ready The meet witnessed interest
Development Authority (APEDA) Secretary Sudhanshu highlighted minister. The Ministry of Food to lead," he said. from global players like LuLu
both the potential and challenges in India's food processing sector. Processing Industries (MoFPI) in The Union minister also Group (UAE), SARTAJ (Japan),
While India's diverse agro-climatic conditions enable production of a partnership with Agricultural & launched a strategic report titled Datar & Sons (UAE) and Global
wide variety of crops, the sector faces critical issues such as pesticide Processed Food Products Export "Strategies to Boost India's Foods Trading (Germany), who
D eve l o p m e nt A u t h o r i t y M a k h a n a E x p o r t s " , are exploring large-scale
residue, perishability and lack of advanced processing and packaging
(APEDA), Trade Promotion underscoring Bihar's leadership procurement of rice, spices,
technologies. Citing successful traceability systems in grapes, organic
Council of India (TPCI), and in this unique GI-tagged makhana, and fruits from Bihar.
produce and millets developed in response to global market concerns,
Government of Bihar, is product. Speaking on the Companies such as Royal Golden
he stressed the importance of leveraging next-generation technologies
organising the meet. The event occasion, Bihar Deputy Chief Trading (UAE) and UVR Natural
like AI, Internet of Things and advanced packaging solutions to
aims to bring together key Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha Foods (India) have also
enhance food safety and export readiness. Vivek Chandra, Chairman,
stakeholders from food and highlighted the role of the food announced concrete sourcing
Food Processing and Value Addition Council, ASSOCHAM, said the
allied sectors to promote trade, p r o c e s s i n g i n d u s t r y i n plans, reaffirming Bihar's
future of food security depends not just on production but on how food
strengthen exports, and unlock enhancing farmers income. He emergence as a trusted sourcing
is processed, preserved, packaged and distributed. Against the
Bihar's agri-food potential. also informed the gathering hub under the proactive efforts
backdrop of climate change and supply chain disruptions, he
Paswan stated that in the about the launch of the Bihar of the Ministry of Food
highlighted the critical role of next-generation technologies in driving financial year 2024–25, the Krishi App, a dedicated platform Processing Industries, said the
efficiency, safety and sustainability Union Ministry of Food to provide farmers with statement issued by the state
Processing Industries has e s s e n t i a l s u p p o r t a n d Industries department.
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