Ministry of food processing industries (MoFPI) has entered into agreements with some developed countries viz. Germany and France for bilateral co-operation in the field of food processing, which generally includes processed food segments including fruits and vegetables.
Besides, the department of agriculture & cooperation has entered into number of umbrella agreements with some developed countries like USA, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Argentina, Austria, and Brazil for bilateral co-operation in the areas of agriculture and allied sectors which generally include agro and food processing.
Apart from this, MoUs have been entered into by two institutions under MoFPI, namely National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship & Management (NIFTEM) and Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT) with universities in such industrialised countries. These MoUs relate to collaboration in teaching and research in the food processing sector.
To help the food processing sector of the African countries under the framework of India Africa Forum Summit-II, MoFPI is implementing one food processing cluster, five food testing laboratories and five food processing business incubation centres in Africa. For capacity building of the African food processing industry, various short-term training programmes in the areas of food safety & quality, food packaging, food testing skills, entrepreneurship and agribusiness development are also being organised by the ministry through reputed / specialised institutes in the country related to the food processing industry. Participation in international fairs / exhibitions in Africa and business to business meetings / engagements / collaborations and so on are also being organised / encouraged by the ministry to help the development of the food processing sector in the African countries.
This information was given by minister of state for food processing industries Dr Charan Das Mahant in written replies in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
