Union Food Processing Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that India’s organic food market is growing at 17% per annum and has the potential to grow at a faster rate on increasing demand for health & wellness food products across the globe.
Badal along with Minister for Women & Child Development Smriti Irani inaugurated the Organic Food Festival for Women Entrepreneurs in Delhi on 21st Feb 2020.
The Organic food festival with the theme “Unleasing India’s Organic Market Potential” was organized by both the ministries and CII as the industry partner.
Over 180 women entrepreneurs, self-help groups and co-operatives took part in the three-day exhibition held in Delhi from 21-23 February 2020.
While addressing media, Badal said that the two ministries have come together to give women entrepreneurs in the organic sector “wings to fly & reach the sky.” She added that the festival will be organized six times a year across the country & the plan is to make it an international event in the near future.
Badal told that the whole world is looking towards organic & wellness food that is required for physical as well as mental health. She said “In organic & health foods, India is a power house as there are many parts of the country which are naturally organic like Sikkim, hilly states & tribal belts.
She mentioned that “The organic sector in India is growing by almost 17% every year and in times to come, the trend is going to grow much faster”.
To recall, earlier this month, the minister said the organic food market will touch Rs. 75,000 crore in the next 5 years. And food processing, value addition & organic food will be helpful in the government’s target to double farmers’ income.
Smriti Irani said that “Under the leadership of Minister of Food Processing, we celebrate the entrepreneurial potential of more than 180 women in this segment of organic food under the aegis of this festival”.
She told that foreign direct investment in the food processing sector has increased significantly under the government led by PM Narendra Modi. She also stressed on providing access to the newest food processing technology available worldwide to entrepreneurs, especially women.
