Latest news with #MoFPI
New Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
MoFPI pushes for GST rationalisation, stronger food safety norms: Chirag Paswan
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is actively engaging with the Ministry of Finance to push for rationalisation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on key items linked to the food processing sector, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said on Tuesday. Speaking at the curtain raiser event for World Food India 2025 in New Delhi, Paswan stressed the urgent need to review and overhaul GST rates applicable to various food and packaged food items. 'We're in continuous dialogue with the Finance Ministry and have forwarded the concerns of food processing industry stakeholders. There is a pressing need to re-examine the GST structure for several key items,' Paswan told Moneycontrol. While refraining from naming specific products, Paswan stressed the necessity for a "massive overhaul" in GST classifications. 'The GST Council will take the final decision, but from our side, we believe rationalisation is essential,' he said. According to sources, the GST Council is expected to convene following the conclusion of the Parliament's monsoon session, where a potential rationalisation of GST rates for around 150 items, including packaged food products may be taken up for discussion. On the regulatory front, the minister empasized the need to upgrade and align India's food safety regulations with international benchmarks. He pointed out that inconsistencies in domestic standards have led to the rejection of Indian food products in certain global markets. 'There have been instances where popular Indian products, like instant noodles have faced bans in European countries due to regulatory issues. Our goal is to ensure that Indian food safety standards are accepted globally,' Paswan said.
Hans India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Common Incubation Centre at IIT Tirupati to boost food processing
Tirupati: Union minister for food processing industries (MoFPI) Chirag Paswan said that the newly-established Common Incubation Centre (CIC) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Tirupati is a model initiative that supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the goal of doubling farmers' income. The minister inaugurated the facility virtually on Thursday and addressed the gathering at IIT Tirupati. District collector Dr S Venkateswar, Srikalahasti MLA Bojjala Sudhir Reddy, IIT Tirupati director Prof K N Satyanarayana, MoFPI joint secretary Devesh Dayal, state government's food processing secretary Chiranjeevi Chowdary and several others participated in the event. The CIC is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship in the Chittoor and Tirupati regions, with a special focus on the food processing sector. The facility is designed to facilitate value addition and processing of locally abundant produce like tomatoes, mangoes (including mango pulp), and other agricultural commodities. Appreciating IIT Tirupati's efforts in setting up the centre in collaboration with the MoFPI, Paswan said the Centre is committed to encouraging value addition and entrepreneurship in the food processing sector. He also assured that the government would extend all possible support for the successful completion of the project. The minister appreciated the detailed proposal presented by IIT Tirupati director and the state government's food processing secretary and lauded the initiative's potential to strengthen the local economy. Speaking at the event, MLA Sudhir Reddy praised IIT Tirupati for taking proactive steps to engage with local industries and youth. He said the incubation centre would be a game changer for the youth and farming communities of the region. The MLA also suggested forming an advisory committee with government representatives to study the horticulture and food processing needs of Chittoor and Tirupati districts, and to encourage growth in these sectors. District collector Venkateswar stated that Andhra Pradesh has made significant progress in the horticulture sector over the past 15 years, contributing around 9.5 per cent to the state's GDP. He mentioned that Tirupati district alone generates 9.25 per cent of its GDP from horticulture. He noted that Rayalaseema, once known as a drought-prone region, has undergone a remarkable transformation through horticulture. Along with micro-irrigation methods like drip and sprinkler systems, around 5 to 6 lakh farm ponds have been created with the support of NREGS and as per the Chief Minister's directives. These efforts have improved groundwater levels, greatly benefiting the horticulture sector, he added. IIT Tirupati director Prof Satyanarayana explained that the centre was conceived to foster rural entrepreneurs and startups in food processing, especially in Chittoor and Tirupati districts, which are major producers of tomatoes, mangoes, and other fruits. The facility was established at a cost of Rs 3.95 crore, of which Rs 2.75 crore was provided by the ministry of food processing industries, while IIT Tirupati contributed Rs 1.2 crore from its own resources. To fully equip the centre, an additional Rs 60 lakh is still required.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
PLI-led food processing sector churns 2.5 L jobs
New Delhi: The Centre's production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing sector has succeeded in attracting investments to the tune of Rs7,000 crore and creating over 2.5 lakh jobs so far, according to a senior official of the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). 'Till date, the ministry has funded almost 1,600 projects leading to the creation of 41 lakh tonnes of food processing capacity and benefiting almost nine lakh farmers,' said Ranjit Singh, joint secretary, MoFPI, in his address at FICCI's 'Foodworld India' event here. He pointed out that food processing plays a pivotal role in agricultural diversification, value addition, reduction in post-harvest losses, and creation of surpluses for exports. Singh said, 'The immense untapped potential of the Indian farm sector highlights the important role that domestic manufacturing can play when adequately supported by enabling government policies.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
PLI scheme for food processing sector creates 2.5 lakh jobs, benefits nine lakh farmers
The Centre's production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing sector has succeeded in attracting investments to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore and creating over 2.5 lakh jobs so far, according to a senior official of the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). "Till date, the ministry has funded almost 1,600 projects leading to the creation of 41 lakh tonnes of food processing capacity and benefiting almost nine lakh farmers," said Ranjit Singh, joint secretary, MoFPI, in his address at FICCI's 'Foodworld India' event here. He pointed out that food processing plays a pivotal role in agricultural diversification, value addition, reduction in post-harvest losses, and creation of surpluses for exports. Singh said, "The immense untapped potential of the Indian farm sector highlights the important role that domestic manufacturing can play when adequately supported by enabling government policies. With targeted interventions, this sector can contribute to India becoming self-reliant and a global food basket." He highlighted the food processing sector's role in enhancing the value of agricultural produce as well as driving favourable demand for Indian products in global markets. "Therefore, to realise its potential, we must continue to upgrade processing, packaging, storage and distribution, so that we're able to meet both domestic and international standards," he added. Singh further stated that the MoFPI is implementing initiatives, such as Kisan Sampada Yojana, an umbrella scheme to build cold chains, agro-processing clusters, food testing bodies, and support R&D in the sector. The ministry is also running the PM's formalisation of micro food processing enterprises (PMFME) scheme to promote infrastructure development, innovation and entrepreneurship in the food processing sector across the country. He said that these schemes have also helped transform many small companies into medium ones. The PMFME scheme has supported close to two lakh micro enterprises through credit-linked subsidies and infrastructure creation in the last five years.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chirag to entrepreneurs: Invest in Bihar, assure you best support
Patna: Union food processing industries dept minister Chirag Paswan on Monday urged the national and international entrepreneurs to invest in Bihar and assured them best of facilities with good air, road and rail connectivity, including a dry port at Bihta. He urged them to explore large-scale procurement of rice, spices, makhana, and fruits from the state. Addressing the 70 buyers representing 20 countries, including six global retail chains from Germany, Japan and the UAE, alongside 50 domestic and 20 institutional buyers at the inaugural session of the two-day International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM) in Patna, Chirag said Bihar is to play an important role in PM Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat by 2047' and India becoming a global food basket. Significantly, 12 companies participating in the meet announced procurement commitments for rice, pulses, spices, fruits, vegetables, and makhana from Bihar. Chirag also highlighted the fact that Bihar benefited the most from Pradhan Mantri formalisation of micro food processing enterprises (PMFME). "In FY 2024-25, my ministry has sanctioned a record 10,270 loans worth Rs 624.42 crore under the PMFME scheme to micro food processing units in Bihar, which is the highest for any state in the country," he said. "The recently announced NIFTEM in Bihar will carry forward our legacy to become a modern-day centre of excellence," he said. He also launched a report titled 'Strategies to boost India's makhana exports'. Addressing the meet, deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha said the state govt, through its agriculture map, was trying to make the state farmers not only producers, but also entrepreneurs. State's industries minister Nitish Mishra said, "Bihar has the potential to become the growth engine of East India." He mentioned the mega food park at Muzaffarpur and encouraged investors to leverage Bihar's industrial infrastructure as the govt is ready to provide proactive allotment of land within seven days through the single window clearance system. Mihir Kumar Singh, additional chief secretary (state industries dept), and Minhaj Alam, additional secretary, MoFPI, also stressed upon the need to increase the level of food processing in the state. Abhishek Dev, chairman of APEDA, emphasised that initiatives such as the launch of 'Tracenet 2.0' in 2025 for traceability of organic and GI-tagged products would further enhance credibility and export readiness of Indian produce.
