The sharing of packaging technology as well as expertise on meat and wine processing were all discussed at a summit with Ilse Aigner, German Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, said India’s Minister for Food Processing industries, Subodh Kant Sahai.
Wine and meat processing
“Germany is one of the leading producer of wine in the world as well as a big importer of wine,” said the Indian Minister. “Germany and India Grape Processing Board can collaborate in the field of grape processing technology. Germany can also provide technical assistance to National Meat and Poultry Processing Board, because that country is a leading producer of processed meat.”
He said that India produces 10 per cent of world’s fruit and 13 per cent of vegetables. However, processing remains low due to a lack of sound post harvest technology, proper storage handling and cold chain supply logistics.
Aigner said Germany would provide technology for the Mega Food Parks a fundamental part of the Indian Government’s plan to help drive growth in its domestic food processing sector. She added that German companies could also supply technology for modern abattoirs for the meat sector.
Boosting trade of processed food products between the two countries would also provide mutual benefits, said the German Minister.
International investment
The Indian Government has highlighted the food processing sector as an engine of economic growth for the country, with foreign investment seen as playing a significant role in this. Plans to double the size of its food processing industry within five years along with a bid to have 30 mega parks in operation by 2012 are seen as the foundation for these ambitious moves.
In the last year both France and the Netherlands have pledged to invest in the country’s burgeoning processing sector. In June, India and Canada signed a food processing agreement to develop research technologies and cut wastage in the sector. US President Barack Obama also pledged to support India’s food processing sector.