The latest edition of FICCI’s Annapoorna Interfood 2025 in Mumbai underlined India’s growing potential in the global food-processing arena, opening up new pathways for innovation, investment and international collaborations.
Avinash Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, stressed that agriculture remains India’s core strength, but value-addition through food processing is what will transform it into long-term economic gains. “If we don’t strengthen value addition and ensure robust food safety standards, farmers will be denied fair earnings and consumers will miss dependable quality,” he said.
Joshi pointed to government programmes such as PM Kisan SAMPADA and PMFME offering 35–50% financial support, as well as the expansion of cold chain networks, testing laboratories and incubation centres. Together, these initiatives are becoming crucial drivers for rural employment and enterprise development.
Highlighting shifting consumer behaviour, Nandini Roy Choudhury of Future Market Insights noted, ‘For Gen Z, transparency is not optional, it’s the baseline. They expect clarity on how their food is produced and its social and environmental footprint.’
Rajesh Rathore, Executive Director at MPIDC, emphasised Madhya Pradesh’s rise as a food-processing destination, while FICCI’s Balvinder Singh Sahni described Annapoorna Interfood 2025 as a pivotal platform that has revitalised the value chain in the post-pandemic era.
The event ultimately underscored that India’s next-generation food economy will be shaped by innovation, trust-driven consumer expectations and strong industry partnerships.
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