Oct 17, 2020
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Food Processing Industries, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj – Narendra Singh Tomar, Food Processing Industries, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has virtually inaugurated the India – International Food & Agri Week being organized from 16th to 22nd October 2020.
CII in association with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Fisheries & Animal Husbandry and Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, is organizing its first-ever Virtual CII Agro & Food Tech: India – International Food & Agri Week from 16th to 22nd October 2020 on CII HIVE – virtual platform with an intent to create a platform for the benefit of the stakeholders involved in the agriculture & allied sectors.
At the session, the minister relayed that the Indian food processing sector contributes 32% to India’s food market. And the use of technology in the field of food and agriculture sector to increase the income of farmers. He added that this event will be the answer to the goal set by PM Modi to double the income of farmers by 2022.
Indian agriculture and rural economy is very robust and according to Tomar, the right marketing and modern technology can lead to greater development of the agriculture sector and substantial steps have been taken in this direction. He added that GDP growth rate in Agriculture is 3.4% and this sector has contributed enormously to India’s economic growth even during Covid times.
To mark this occasion, MoFPI has started an awareness campaign named ‘Anna Devo Bhava’ and along with increasing awareness about the value of food, focus on reducing food wastage is important.
Tomar likewise shared that under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, MoFPI has started PMFME (PM Formalisation of Micro food Enterprises) scheme with an outlay of Rs 20,000 crores. This scheme will support 2 lakh micro food processing units with credit-linked subsidy and would focus on supporting the SHGs, FPOs, and cottage industry. Also, MoFPI is working with Commerce Ministry which has shortlisted ready to eat food and fruits and vegetables for its export markets. Government is moving towards branding of food products and the creation of a Market Development board.
MoFPI has started PM Kisan Sampada Scheme for modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlets. MFP scheme is an important element of PMKSY whose objective is to link agricultural production to the market by bringing together the farmers, processors and retailers. As of now, 37 MFPs have been approved out of which 20 have begun operations. Ministry has expanded the Operation greens scheme from TOP to TOTAL. Under this scheme, the Ministry will provide a 50% subsidy for transportation of eligible crops from surplus production cluster to consumption center for six months and/or Hiring of appropriate storage facilities for eligible crops (for a maximum period of 3 months)
The Agro and Food Tech is an appropriate platform to showcase the products, services, and technology available in the agriculture and related sectors, according to Shri Tomar and added that all stakeholders present at this event would benefit from the latest technologies, solutions and opportunities presented in this event.