Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan Urges Rice Exporters to Focus on Value-Added Production

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan has urged rice exporters and industry stakeholders to shift their focus from volume to value. Speaking on Friday at the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) in New Delhi, organised by the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF), the minister emphasized the need to strengthen India's position in the global trade market through quality and innovation.

India currently stands as the world's top rice producer and largest exporter, capturing nearly 40 percent share of global rice trade. Noting this significant market presence, Paswan stated that the nation holds both a major responsibility and a considerable opportunity to shape international trade standards.

According to the minister, India's primary objective for decades following independence was centered on ensuring food security and ramping up domestic production volumes. Having achieved robust production capacity, the strategic priority must now evolve toward processing, quality standardization, branding, traceability, and sustainability across the entire supply chain.

Paswan noted that there is substantial scope to deepen the rice value chain, spanning every stage from initial paddy cultivation to the final consumer dining table. He advocated for rigorous quality certification, research, and innovation, drawing parallels with other established processed food products.

Highlighting the role of the food processing sector, the minister stated that the industry holds untapped potential to drive growth while noting that certain traditional sectors may be nearing saturation. He outlined that the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is actively utilizing existing schemes to build stronger processing infrastructure, foster innovation, and scale up value-added exports.

Addressing technological self-reliance, Paswan pointed out the necessity of reducing import dependence within the food processing sector. He called for increased domestic manufacturing of machinery, equipment, and technology. Furthermore, he stressed that bridging the gap between agricultural production by farmers and industrial processing capabilities remains critical for achieving rural prosperity alongside industrial development.

The minister also drew attention to India's ongoing efforts regarding free trade agreements with various international partners. He noted that these trade pacts are designed to enhance export volumes while facilitating access to advanced global technologies.

"As India solidifies its position as a global leader in agricultural production, the call to transition from volume to value opens up significant opportunities for agritech startups and enterprises. Focusing on traceability, quality certification, and domestic machinery manufacturing will not only boost export realizations but also build long-term resilience in the food processing value chain. Entrepreneurs who build solutions targeting supply chain transparency and advanced processing will find immense potential in this evolving market." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes