SAPLING Dialogue 2026 Focuses on South Asia Food Growth
India Hosts South Asian Food Processing Dialogue as Leaders Push for Jobs, Investment and Stronger Food Systems
Ahmedabad, June 9: India on Monday hosted a major regional policy dialogue on food processing in Ahmedabad, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, researchers, development organisations, startups and investors from across South Asia to discuss how the sector can create jobs, reduce food waste and strengthen food security.
The two-day event, titled “Unlocking Value: Advancing Food Processing for Employment Generation and Sustainable Growth in South Asia,” was inaugurated by Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Shri Chirag Paswan. The programme has been organised jointly by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and the World Bank Group-led SAPLING (South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth) platform.
Around 200 participants from South Asian countries are attending the dialogue, which focuses on strengthening food processing ecosystems and building more resilient and sustainable food systems across the region.
The discussions come at a time when South Asia faces several food-related challenges, including post-harvest losses, malnutrition, climate-related disruptions and the need for greater value addition in agriculture. Policymakers and industry experts increasingly view food processing as an important link between farms and markets that can help improve farmer incomes while creating employment opportunities.
Addressing the inaugural session, Shri Chirag Paswan said India is steadily strengthening its position as a global food processing hub through investments in infrastructure, technology and value addition.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Chirag Paswan said that “food processing is the bridge between agriculture and prosperity and has immense potential to generate employment, reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmer incomes, and strengthen food security.”
The minister noted that government initiatives aimed at modernising supply chains and improving processing infrastructure are helping create more competitive food value chains.
India’s food processing sector has grown significantly over the past decade. According to government data, the sector contributes substantially to manufacturing output and agricultural value addition while supporting millions of jobs across processing, packaging, transportation, logistics and retail activities. Policymakers see the industry as an important driver of rural industrialisation because it allows agricultural products to be converted into higher-value goods before reaching consumers.
The event also highlighted the role of Gujarat in agricultural and industrial development. Shri Jitubhai Vaghani, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Gujarat, welcomed delegates from various countries and described the gathering as an important milestone for regional cooperation.
He said the food processing sector can act as an engine of agricultural transformation by increasing value addition and creating employment opportunities. Shri Vaghani also reiterated Gujarat’s commitment to expanding its agro-industrial sector and advocated establishing a campus of the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) in the state to strengthen the connection between agriculture and industry.
The opening session was attended by several senior officials, including Mr Paul Procee, Acting Country Director for India at the World Bank, Ms Archna Vyas, Country Director for India at the Gates Foundation, and Shri Avinash Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
The dialogue is being held under the umbrella of the SAPLING platform, a regional initiative led by the World Bank Group that seeks to improve nutrition, strengthen food systems and encourage investment across South Asia. The platform works with governments, development agencies, private companies, researchers and civil society organisations to advance policy reforms and promote innovation in agriculture and food systems. It is aligned with the World Bank Group’s broader AgriConnect initiative, which focuses on connecting farms, businesses and finance to support growth and employment in the agricultural sector.
Food processing has become a major policy priority across South Asia because a large share of agricultural produce is still lost before reaching consumers. World Bank assessments have noted that more than 30 per cent of food produced in the region is lost or wasted annually, reducing farmer incomes and placing additional pressure on food security and natural resources. Experts argue that investments in storage, logistics, processing and cold chain infrastructure can significantly reduce these losses while creating new business opportunities.
Against this backdrop, the Ahmedabad dialogue includes a series of thematic sessions covering key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Participants are discussing topics such as strengthening agricultural supply chains, formalising informal food processors, promoting technology adoption, improving food safety standards, increasing investment flows and enhancing regional cooperation.
One session focuses on the movement of agricultural products from farms to factories and the infrastructure needed to support efficient supply chains. Another examines how small and informal food processors can be integrated into regulated value chains, allowing them to access larger markets and financing opportunities.
Technology and innovation are also central themes. Discussions are exploring the use of digital systems, smart processing technologies and traceability tools that can improve productivity, quality and market access. Industry experts say such technologies are becoming increasingly important as consumers demand safer and more transparent food supply chains.
Food quality and standards form another important part of the agenda. Harmonised standards can make it easier for South Asian countries to trade food products with each other and access international markets.
The event has attracted representatives from several leading organisations, including Nestlé, Bayer, Rabobank, Ajinomoto, ITC, SEWA, NABARD and Food Industry Asia. Their participation reflects growing interest from both the private sector and development institutions in expanding food processing across the region.
Alongside the policy discussions, organisers have also arranged an Innovation Fair showcasing developments in cold chain logistics, sustainable packaging, digital traceability systems, storage technologies and smart food processing solutions.
Such innovations are increasingly viewed as essential for reducing food losses, particularly for perishable products such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products and fisheries. Across many South Asian countries, inadequate storage and transportation facilities continue to result in significant losses before products reach consumers.
A major highlight of the opening day was the release of a new report titled “Assessment of the Level of Food Processing in India,” commissioned by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
According to the report, India’s overall food processing level increased from approximately 10 percent in 2016 to nearly 17 per cent in 2023, indicating substantial progress over the past several years.
The study identifies significant opportunities for further value addition, particularly in fruits, vegetables and dairy products. It also outlines policy recommendations aimed at strengthening infrastructure, reducing post-harvest losses, improving farmer incomes and enhancing India’s competitiveness in global food markets.
Experts note that increasing processing levels can help farmers receive better returns by extending the shelf life of agricultural products and creating opportunities for value-added goods. It can also support export growth by improving quality and meeting international standards.
The Ahmedabad dialogue is expected to conclude with discussions on practical policy actions and regional cooperation strategies. Organisers hope the event will strengthen partnerships between governments, businesses and development institutions while encouraging investment in food processing industries across South Asia.
As countries in the region seek to improve nutrition outcomes, create employment and build more resilient food systems, participants say greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing will be essential. The outcomes of the dialogue are expected to contribute to future policy discussions on how food processing can support economic growth, rural development and food security across South Asia.
