Union Minister Chirag Paswan emphasizes farmer empowerment and value chain development

28 July 2025, New Delhi

The Indian Industries Association (IIA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, organised a regional seminar on “The Impact of Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (From the Perspective of North India)” at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event brought together key stakeholders from the government, industry, and academia to assess the implementation of the scheme in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and to deliberate on the future of food processing in the region.

Delivering the keynote address, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Shri Chirag Paswan, underscored the untapped potential of the sector and urged the industry to deepen its engagement with grassroots stakeholders. He noted that despite progress, India’s food processing sector has only scratched the surface of its capabilities.

“India will become truly saksham only when our farmers are empowered—and for that, we must empower this sector,” he said. “The PM Kisan SAMPADA Yojana is not just a funding mechanism; it is a catalyst for reducing post-harvest losses, enabling value addition, and ensuring our agri-producers connect directly to global markets.”

Shri Paswan emphasized the need to address gaps in cold storage and logistical infrastructure, particularly in agriculturally rich yet underprocessed states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He highlighted that the share of processed food exports has increased from 13% in 2013 to 23% in 2024—an encouraging trend, yet one that demands continued momentum.

“The strength of India lies in its diaspora and agricultural diversity. Our aim should be to build value chains that connect the local to the global,” he added. The Minister also announced that the upcoming World Food India 2025 will be held at Bharat Mandapam in September, providing a global platform to showcase India’s food processing capabilities.

In her welcome address, Dr. Mamtamayi Priyadarshini, Chairperson of IIA Delhi State, said the seminar aimed to bridge the gap between policy and practice. “PM Kisan SAMPADA Yojana has the potential to transform rural livelihoods, but its success depends on how effectively industry engages with it at the ground level,” she said.

Mr. Alok Agrawal, Senior Vice Chairperson, IIA Delhi, said , “There is an urgent need to create capacity-building platforms for small food processors so they can adopt modern technology and adhere to safety and quality norms. “

Shri Chetan Deo Bhalla, Vice President – Food Processing Industries, highlighted practical challenges faced by entrepreneurs in accessing scheme benefits and called for streamlined compliance processes and easier credit access.

Shri Anuj Garg, CEC Member, stressed on the integration of the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative with international supply chains and urged for infrastructure that keeps pace with global standards.

In his presidential address, Shri Dinesh Goyal, National President of IIA, emphasized the importance of district-level feedback loops to ensure continuous scheme improvement.

The event began with a symbolic Jal Sanrakshan (Water Conservation) ceremony, reinforcing the role of sustainability in the food processing ecosystem.

Dr. L.K. Pandey, CEC Member, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the presence and contributions of government officials, industry experts, and entrepreneurs from across the northern region. He reiterated IIA’s commitment to supporting inclusive and impactful implementation of government-led initiatives.