The Ministry of Food Processing Industries is a ministry of the Government of India responsible for formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating to food processing in India. The ministry was set up in the year 1947, with a view to develop a strong and vibrant food processing industry, to create increased employment in rural sector and enable farmers to reap the benefits of modern technology and to create a surplus for exports and stimulating demand for processed food. The ministry is currently headed by Harsimrat Kaur Badal, a Cabinet Minister.
Better utilization and value addition of agricultural produce for enhancement of income of farmers.
Minimizing wastage at all stages in the food processing chain by the development of infrastructure for storage, transportation and processing of agro-food produce.
Induction of modern technology into the food processing industries from both domestic and external sources.
Maximum utilization of agricultural residues and by-products of the primary agricultural produce as also of the processed industry.
To encourage R&D in food processing for product and process development and improved packaging.
To provide policy support, promotional initiatives and physical facilities to promote value added exports
Roles of MOFPI
The strategic role and functions of the Ministry fall under three categories:
Policy support developmental & promotional
Technical & advisory
Regulatory.
It is concerned with the formulation & implementation of policies and plans for all the industries under its domain within the overall national priorities and objectives. Its main focus areas include—development of infrastructure, technological up gradation, development of backward linkages, enforcement of quality standards and expanding domestic as well as export markets for processed food products. The Ministry acts as a catalyst and facilitator for attracting domestic & foreign investments towards developing large integrated processing capacities, by creating conducive policy environment, including rationalization of taxes & duties. It processes applications for foreign collaborations, Export Oriented Units etc. and assists/guides prospective entrepreneur in his endeavour. Post liberalization, it has approved a large no. of joint ventures, foreign collaborations, industrial licenses and 100% EOU proposals in different food processing areas and has taken major policy initiatives to facilitate an accelerated growth of the industry. The functions of the Ministry can be broadly classified as follows:
Policy support
Formulation and implementation of policies for food processing industries within overall national priorities and objectives.
Facilitating the creation of a conducive policy environment for healthy growth of the food-processing sector.
Promoting rationalization of tariffs and duties relating to food processing sector.
Developmental
Assistance under various plan schemes such as Mega Food Parks.
Widening the R&D base in food processing by involvement of various R&D institutes and support to various R&D activities relating to development of product, process and packaging with special emphasis on traditional technologies.
Human resource development both for entrepreneurs as well as workers engaged in the food processing industry by up gradation of their skills.
Assistance for setting up analytical and testing laboratories, active participation in the laying down of food standards as well as their harmonization with international standards.
Promotional
Assistance for organization of workshops, seminars, exhibitions and fairs etc.
For achieving its objectives, the Ministry, apart from various Ministries of the Government of India like Agriculture, Industry, Commerce and Health interacts with various State Governments through their Ministries / Ministry of Food Processing Industries or nominated nodal agencies which are responsible for implementing programs relating to this sector in the concerned State Governments. The Ministry also interacts with various promotional organizations like
