World Food India 2025: Bolstering India’s Food Processing Ecosystem

PM Modi inaugurated World Food India 2025, a global food event in New Delhi, to celebrate innovation in the food and agribusiness sector. The momentous event aimed to determine India’s role as “Food Hub of the World.” With major MoUs signed by industrial leaders and combining 21 countries, 21 states and union territories, the event celebrates India’s rich food culture and boosts the food processing sector across the country. Read the article to learn more about the World Food India 2025, the visions and promises that will foster the food processing sector.

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What is World Food India 2025?

World Food India 2025 is a transformative platform, organised by the government of India, to strengthen India’s position as a global food hub in terms of trade, sustainability and technological enhancement. The expo is a global flagship food event, and will be held from September 25 to 28, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam or Pragati Maidan. The two parallel events, such as the Global Food Regulators Summit 2025 and the 24th India International Seafood, run alongside the event. The event emphasises India as a food processing hub with nutritional quality, organic/healthy food exporters and producers.

Key Details of the Event-

• On 25 September 2025, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) organised World Food India 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. 
• PM Narendra Modi aimed to establish India as the “Food Hub of the World”. 
• This could be achieved by bringing together the stakeholders, global investments and technology across the agribusiness value chain. 
• The theme of the fourth edition event was based on “Processing for Prosperity”, emphasising the role of food processing in enhancing value addition, farmer income, technological innovation and employment.
• In this programme, 21 countries are participating, including focus countries such as Russia, Japan, the UAE, and Vietnam, as well as partner countries like New Zealand and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, more than 1,200 exhibitors, 500 global CEOs, and 100 foreign delegates have shown interest in it.
• In India, 21 states and Union Territories, with 10 Central Ministries and 5 allied government centres are involved, with targeted states including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, highlighting India’s seafood export potential.
• This event secured an investment of a total of Rs. 1.02 lakh crore through MoUs, with Rs. 40,000 crore invested by Reliance Consumer Products Limited, Rs. 2000 crore from TCPL (Tata Consumer Products Limited), and Rs. 960 crore from Godrej Agrovet.
• The key player, Allana Group, served as a Gold Sponsor, bringing together stakeholders from across the global food ecosystem.

Why does it matter?

• Inducing Investments and Trade: Inviting international investors to India’s food ecosystem, it is expected to catalyse new investments, joint ventures, and export partnerships in food processing.
• Encouraging the MSME Sector: The aim is not limited to international collaborations; the WFI 2025 aims to boost small and medium food enterprises to scale up their operations.
• National Branding: The flagship event showcases India’s food culture, diversity and industrial capabilities on the international platform. This promotes the home cuisines to the global market and increases the demand in other countries.
• Presents India’s Vision and Technological Sustainability: WFI focuses on connecting farmers, logistics, processors, packaging, R&D, and market supply by integrating technology and collaborations. This will help India project as a leader in an eco-friendly, nutritious and innovation-driven food system.
• Policy and Regulations: The new forum ensures that the food quality aligns with international standards, discusses & frames the regulations and shapes future policies.

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Thematic Pillars of World Food India 2025-

The five thematic pillars that strengthen the objectives of WFI 2025 are outlined by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and the Press Information Bureau (PIB):

• Sustainability & Net Zero in Food Processing: It focuses on eco-friendly food production, reducing carbon footprint, energy efficiency and achieving net-zero targets in the food industry.
• Processed Food for Nutrition and Health: The prime focus is to enhance the nutritional value of the processed food. It highlights the role of food processing in promoting health-oriented food products, organic sources, nutritional security and fortified foods.
• Global Food Processing Hub: The event aims to position India as a reliable, scalable and innovative partner in the world food system. The government plans to promote ODOP (One District, One Product), GI-tagged products, and robust industrial infrastructure.
• Frontiers in Processing Technologies, Products and Packaging: The main focus is on innovation-driven advancements, new packaging solutions, digitalisation, smart logistics, automation, shelf-life extension and digital supply chain integration.
• Livestock and Marine Products Accelerate the Rural Economy: To boost development in rural areas, the government plans to implement value chains in the livestock and marine sectors to channelise growth, jobs and sustainable livelihood.

Future Ahead-

The major highlight for World Food India showcases India’s fast-growing food-tech ecosystem and innovation potential:

• The programme promotes startups, local businesses and future food technologies, connecting them with potential investors, policymakers, industrial leaders and research institutions at the global level. 
• NIFTEM-K (National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management) played a crucial part in the signing of multiple strategic MoUs with industry partners and researchers to transfer breakthrough technologies for commercial use.
• The future-based innovations include millet-based products, plant-based proteins, neutraceuticals and food fortification to enhance nutritional value, reduce waste and improve supply.
• Initiatives like Start-Up Grand Challenge are flourishing in the startup ecosystem and receive immense encouragement, pinpointing challenges in food preservation, packaging and supply chain management.
• Policies will be framed to provide intellectual property protection and market access support, helping startups to scale up, as emphasised by thought leaders and capitalists.
• With rapid investments and government support, the startups in agritech, agribusiness and food processing are intended to drive India as a “Global Food Hub” for sustainable and nutritious food innovation.
• Lastly, World Food India 2025 will be a catalyst for future food technologies and entrepreneurship in the food processing sector.

Conclusion-

The purpose of establishing World Food India 2025 is to showcase India’s advancements in food processing, agriculture-based technology, value-chain development, and sustainable nutrition. The main focus of the event is to promote national and international collaborations among governments, industries, startups, and stakeholders to boost prosperity, innovation and leadership in the global food sector. WFI 2025 is taking a leap towards food safety, high-class packaging standards, nutritional value, and helping domestic businesses reach the international market.

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