Value Addition & Technology Key To Job Creation & Export Growth In Food Processing: MoFPI Secretary

New Delhi, Jan 7 (KNN) The Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) on Tuesday inaugurated Indusfood Manufacturing 2026, along with FoodTech 4.0, at Yashobhoomi, India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC), positioning the platform as a key forum for advancing technology-led growth in India’s food processing and manufacturing sector.

The event brings together stakeholders across food processing, packaging, automation and allied manufacturing technologies, marking the start of what organisers described as the country’s most comprehensive industry-focused platform for the sector.

Senior Policymakers and Global Industry Representation

The inauguration was attended by senior government officials, industry leaders and international representatives, including Avinash Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI); Mohit Singla, Chairman, TPCI; Yashvir Singh, Economic Adviser (Agriculture SMD), Department of Commerce; Volker Klima, Head of Agriculture & Food Division, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany; and representatives from global technology and automation firms

Focus on Value Addition and Technology Adoption

In his keynote address, Joshi highlighted the role of technology adoption and value addition in strengthening the sector. 

He noted, “India today has surplus agricultural production, a strong manufacturing base and a young, skilled workforce. The opportunity before us is to further strengthen food processing through value addition, quality enhancement and technology adoption so that we create employment, increase farmers’ incomes and expand exports. Platforms such as Indusfood Manufacturing play a crucial role in translating this potential into tangible outcomes.”

Joshi reaffirmed the MoFPI’s commitment to building a competitive and export-oriented food processing ecosystem in line with the Vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

International Collaboration Emphasised

Klima stressed the importance of food processing as a driver of economic growth, trade and food security. He underlined the role of innovation, research and cross-border collaboration, particularly between India and Germany, in developing sustainable and competitive food manufacturing systems.

Export Competitiveness and Domestic Needs

Singh pointed to the importance of advanced technologies in improving production, packaging and storage systems. He said such advancements are essential both to meet domestic food requirements and to enhance India’s ability to supply quality products to global markets at competitive prices.

Platform Scale and Industry Engagement

The TPCI Chairman highlighted the scale of the exhibition, which features over 300 exhibitors, more than 200 live machine demonstrations, and an exhibition area spanning 27,000 square metres, with an estimated 20,000 international trade visitors.

(KNN Bureau)