The Indian Agriculture and Food Processing sectors are at an important juncture today. The opportunity before India is to strengthen access to technology and market linkages together with incentivizing private sector participation and investments particularly in agri R&D, supply chain development, among others will remain critical to achieving higher and sustainable agricultural growth as also ensuring higher returns to the farmers. The Food Processing sector has benefited from several fiscal incentives, and policy changes allowing greater scope for producing value added products. Considering the Make in India vision, it will be important to create an enabling environment to help build a stronger brand and take it to other countries. Issues related to quality and safe food will be a priority given the increasing consumer awareness within the domestic market and the need to adhere to standards in the context of export markets. CII has been working extensively on the key policy issues related to the agriculture and food processing sector that support sustainable growth, livelihood security and enable strengthening the brand of Indian foods.
This issue of Policy Watch looks at some of the important sectoral issues that continue to impact the overall performance of the Agriculture and Food Processing sectors and have considerable impact on farmers' income and livelihood opportunities. It also brings forth the key policy interventions that need to be taken up on priority.