A meeting was organized during the 'India Agriculture Conference 2026,' dedicated to the issues of farmers and the agricultural sector. This two-day international forum is taking place at the Indian Mandapam in New Delhi under the theme 'Smart Farmer, Developed India.' The Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan, inaugurated the event.
During the opening, he emphasized the need to advance Indian agriculture to a new level, increase farmers' incomes, and stimulate food processing. Paswan noted that such a platform is crucial for an agrarian country like India, where farmers, agricultural experts, and industry representatives can gather and discuss ways to develop the agro-sector.
He thanked the India Today group for organizing the event, stating that the two-day dialogue will bring long-term and positive results for the agricultural sector.
The Union Minister stated that farmers are the backbone of India, and despite the large population, the country has not faced a global food crisis, which, in his opinion, is the merit of the farmers. He recalled times when the country experienced grain shortages and noted that thanks to the hard work of farmers, this situation was overcome. Today, India is capable not only of meeting its own food needs but also of contributing to the food security of other countries.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that much work remains to be done in agriculture. Although India has achieved significant success in increasing grain production and replenishing stocks, it is now time to move forward. The focus needs to shift from simply increasing production volume to enhancing its value.
Chirag Paswan pointed out that while attention has been paid to increasing agricultural production, work in the field of food processing has not been done sufficiently. He explained: 'We have increased production capacity, but we still have much to do in terms of how to turn this production into value and how to present the product to the world.'
Referring to Narendra Modi's vision of a self-reliant India, he noted that the government aims to achieve the country's self-sufficiency in all spheres. The Prime Minister has given great importance to agriculture and food processing alongside manufacturing. It is through food processing that Indian products and dishes can reach every corner of the world.
The Union Minister stated that the Prime Minister strives to transform India into a global food reserve for the entire world. To achieve this, strengthening the food processing system is critically important. He expressed hope that in the future, no table in the world will go without at least one Indian product.
According to him, Indian farmers possess potential, as well as the talent and mindset of the nation. What is required is to expand this system and involve as many people as possible in food processing.
One of the main problems for farmers, according to Chirag Paswan, is the lack of fair prices for their harvest and insufficient storage facilities. He reported that farmers often have to sell their crops at very low prices. In some cases, vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, and onions have to be discarded outdoors.
The reason for this is the absence of adequate systems for long-term product storage. Until the shelf life of agricultural products is increased and conditions are created for their long-term preservation in fresh form, farmers may incur losses.
The Minister emphasized that food processing allows for extending the shelf life of agricultural products. This gives farmers the opportunity to store their harvest until they receive a more favorable market and a fair price, instead of selling it immediately at a low price. To achieve this, the possibilities of food processing must be brought to the villages and fields of the country.
Paswan called on the industry to invest in and expand the food processing sector, noting that this is not only the government's duty but also the task of the private sector. The government is ready to develop policies and provide necessary conditions, but private companies and the industry should consider expanding their business and opening new production capacities. As long as food processing units are not located close to farmers' fields, logistics problems will persist, and farmers will not be able to reap the full benefits.
He concluded that mechanisms allowing farmers to process their own produce or improve its quality and shelf life through processing are necessary to increase farmers' incomes. This will enable farmers to receive a better price for their harvest.
