India's food processing sector is poised to reach US$ 535 billion by 2025-26.

Ms. Anita Praveen, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing, underscored the vital role of research and development (R&D) in advancing India's food processing sector while speaking at the FICCI Scientific Symposium on 'Processed Foods for Purpose.' She emphasized the sector's substantial growth potential and prioritization within India's agricultural framework, highlighting its significance. Ms. Praveen stated, "The Indian agriculture sector is experiencing robust growth, and food processing has emerged as a key area for development."

Ms. Praveen emphasized the sector's role in driving economic growth and fostering employment, particularly for micro and small enterprises. She also stressed leveraging R&D to propel the sector to new heights, acknowledging its strategic advantages, including abundant raw materials and growing consumer demand both domestically and internationally. Dr. Seema Bathla, Professor at the Centre for the Study of Regional Development, Jawaharlal Nehru University, highlighted the four key elements of India's agricultural food system: production, consumption, ecology, and environment. With optimistic projections, India's food processing sector is poised to exceed US$ 600 billion by 2025-26, signalling significant growth potential.

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