**Executive Summary**
On April 9, 2026, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) convened the Parliamentary Consultative Committee and NIFTEM Council meetings in Shillong, chaired by Minister Shri Chirag Paswan. The sessions focused on reviewing sectoral reforms, addressing infrastructure and financial constraints, and strengthening the food processing ecosystem through institutional alignment. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating growth and positioning India as a global leader in food processing through policy support and inter-ministerial coordination.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Sectoral Review and Reforms**
* Undertook a comprehensive review of ongoing reforms and policy initiatives within the food processing sector.
* Presented implemented and proposed reforms to the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for feedback on improving outreach and impact.
* Emphasized the critical role of food processing in reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing value addition in agricultural produce.
* **Institutional Framework and Capacity Building**
* Deliberated on key NIFTEM Council matters, including capacity building, research, and strengthening the national food processing ecosystem.
* Discussed methods to align institutional frameworks with emerging industry opportunities and requirements.
* **Strategic Objectives and Challenges**
* Identified the need to bridge infrastructure gaps, improve access to finance, and overcome technological constraints.
* Highlighted the importance of inter-ministerial coordination to facilitate the ease of doing business.
* Recognized government efforts in GST rationalization, streamlining food safety regulations, and department convergence.
* Focused on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship to create a positive perception of processed food and ensure sustainable growth.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)**
**Impact:** Charged with leading sectoral growth through policy support and institutional strengthening.
**Action Required:** Implement proposed reforms and maintain collaborative approaches to position India as a global leader in the sector.
**NIFTEM Council**
**Impact:** Directly affected by decisions regarding research priorities and institutional policy matters.
**Action Required:** Align research and capacity-building frameworks with current industry requirements and market opportunities.
**Farmers and Agricultural Stakeholders**
**Impact:** Beneficiaries of efforts to reduce post-harvest losses and increase the value of agri-produce.
**Action Required:** Utilize the strengthened value chain and infrastructure to improve produce outcomes and economic benefits.
**Industry Entrepreneurs and Stakeholders**
**Impact:** Influenced by GST rationalization, streamlined food safety regulations, and improved access to finance.
**Action Required:** Engage in innovation and entrepreneurship to enhance the perception and sustainable growth of the processed food sector.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI): The primary government ministry responsible for policy initiatives, reforms, and institutional strengthening within India's food processing sector.
Parliamentary Consultative Committee: A body of Members of Parliament that reviewed the food processing sector's progress, outreach, and ongoing policy reforms during the meeting.
NIFTEM Council: An institutional body that deliberated on capacity building, research, and aligning institutional frameworks with industry requirements for the food processing ecosystem.
Shri Chirag Paswan: The Minister of Food Processing Industries who chaired the meetings and emphasized the sector's role in reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing value addition.
Shillong: The location where the high-level Parliamentary Consultative Committee and NIFTEM Council meetings were convened.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
MoFPI Holds Parliamentary Consultative
Committee and NIFTEM Council Meetings in
Shillong
Posted On: 09 APR 2026 9:57PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, today convened the Meeting
of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee followed by the NIFTEM Council Meeting at Courtyard by
Marriott, Shillong.
The meetings were chaired by Shri Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries, in the
presence of senior officers of the ministry including Sh. Avinash Joshi, Secretary, MoFPI, and Sh. Devesh
Deval, Joint Secretary, MoFPI, along with Hon’ble Members of Parliament and other stakeholders.
During the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting, a comprehensive review of the food
processing sector was undertaken, including ongoing reforms and policy initiatives of the Ministry. A
detailed presentation was made on the reforms implemented and proposed by MoFPI, followed by
interventions and suggestions from Members of the Committee on strengthening the sector and improving
its outreach and impact.
The NIFTEM Council meeting deliberated on key institutional and policy matters relating to capacity
building, research, and strengthening of the food processing ecosystem in the country. Members discussed
ways to align institutional frameworks with industry requirements and emerging opportunities in the
sector.
Addressing the meetings, the Minister emphasized the critical role of food processing in reducing post-
harvest losses and enhancing value addition in agri produce. He highlighted the need to address existing
challenges in the sector, including infrastructure gaps, access to finance, and technological constraints.
The Minister also underscored the importance of inter-ministerial coordination to facilitate ease of doing
business, and praised the government’s initiatives on rationalisation of GST, streamlining of food safety
regulations, and convergence of efforts across departments.
The discussions reflected a shared commitment towards strengthening the food processing sector,
promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, creating positive perception of processed food and ensuring
sustainable growth with greater benefits for farmers and stakeholders across the value chain.
The Ministry reaffirmed its focus on accelerating growth in the sector through policy support, institutional
strengthening, and collaborative approaches to position India as a global leader in food processing.*****
CMC – MoFPI
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