India Eyes 'Global Food Basket' Status via FTAs and Value Addition: Chirag Paswan
Union Minister Chirag Paswan highlights how Free Trade Agreements and food processing can transform India into a global food basket.
Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan, has envisioned a future where India transcends its role as a domestic producer to become a global food basket. Speaking on the sidelines of the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 in New Delhi, the Minister emphasized that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are pivotal in strengthening India's food exports and expanding its footprint in international markets.
Leveraging Trade Agreements for Global Reach
Minister Paswan highlighted that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India is actively pursuing trade agreements with various nations. He noted that many countries are now opening their markets to Indian products, providing a golden opportunity to tap into untapped international potential.
The Minister asserted that India's capacity extends far beyond its own borders.
"We're taking care of our hunger needs; we can take care of the hunger needs of various other countries. So, for that, these trade agreements are needed,"he stated, underscoring the strategic importance of FTAs in establishing robust export relationships.
From Production to Value Addition
A key theme of the Minister's address was the necessary shift in India's agricultural strategy. He pointed out that while India previously prioritized increasing production to move away from being a food-deficit nation, the current objective must evolve.
Paswan stressed that the focus must now shift toward value addition through food processing. He argued that while India possesses the necessary volume of agricultural output, the real growth lies in processing these raw materials into high-value products for the global stage.
Key Drivers for Growth:
- Diversification: Utilizing India's vast array of diverse food products to cater to different global tastes.
- Processing: Shifting from raw agricultural exports to processed food products to increase profit margins.
- Government Support: Leveraging initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes to enhance India's global competitiveness.
The Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026
The Minister's remarks came during the opening of the BIRC 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. Organized by the Indian Rice Exporters' Federation (IREF), this three-day event serves as a critical junction for Indian exporters and international buyers.
The scale of the conference reflects the immense interest in India's agricultural sector:
- Massive Participation: The event recorded 32,467 registrations.
- Global Interest: 4,856 buyers from 153 different countries are in attendance.
- Knowledge Exchange: The itinerary includes 65 speakers and nine dedicated knowledge sessions.
- Business Networking: A digital platform has facilitated 2,038 business-to-business (B2B) meetings.
Minister Paswan concluded that such platforms are essential for the rice and food processing sectors to identify gaps, improve industry standards, and collectively drive India toward its goal of becoming a dominant force in the global food supply chain.