India targets 25-30% food processing level to boost exports

India aims to increase its food processing level from the current 16–17% to between 25% and 30% by 2030 or 2047. This strategic goal is intended to expand value-added production, improve export potential, and reduce significant post-harvest losses.

J. P. Dongre, Deputy Agricultural Marketing Advisor and Director at the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, noted that the industry is currently valued at an estimated USD 500 billion. To support this growth, the ministry is providing financial assistance to entrepreneurs for modern machinery, packaging infrastructure, and cold-chain facilities.

Addressing post-harvest waste, government studies estimate that agricultural produce worth more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore is lost annually. Strengthening storage, warehousing, and processing infrastructure is viewed as a key method to convert these losses into value-added products. Additionally, the PMFME scheme has formalized 200,000 micro-entrepreneurs over the last five years, with plans to expand this number further.