PM Modi inaugurates World Food India; says farmers are central in food processing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a gathering at inauguration of World Food India 2017 in Delhi. He said that India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world.

PM Modi backed Goods and Services Tax by saying that it has eliminated multiplicity of taxes. He reiterated that India has jumped 30 ranks this year in World Bank's ease of doing business rankings.

"Simple, home-based techniques, like fermentation, have resulted in creation of our famous pickles, papads, chutneys and murabbas that excite both the elite and the masses across the world," said PM Modi.

"Over a million passengers consume food on trains in India in a single day, they are potential customers for food processing industry," said PM Modi.

"Our farmers, whom we respectfully call as 'annadatas' are central to our efforts in food processing," he said.

More than 40 countries and 27 states governments are participating in the exhibition, being organised in association with industry body CII.

Earlier, addressing a curtain raiser event, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said private investments worth Rs 65,000 crore have already been committed in the food processing sector and more is expected during the event.  

Badal has said that Khichdi is queen of all foods. The event will see many top chefs cooking 800 kg of Khichdi in the biggest-ever global food expo.

Well-known chef Sanjeev Kapoor wil also be present as brand ambassador of the Great India Food Street for the three-day event starting November 3.

Khichdi will also be distributed to 60,000 orphan children in national capital.

Union minister Smriti Zubin Irani said on Thursday that the mega global food festival was in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "transforming" food economy and doubling farmers' income.

The information and broadcasting minister said the World Food India, 2017, will enhance business opportunities for women entrepreneurs, among others, and establish India as a preferred destination in food processing sector.