Union Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan inaugurated the SAPLING Dialogue 2026 in Ahmedabad, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers from South Asia. The event aims to strengthen food processing ecosystems and promote sustainable food systems in the region. Around 200 participants, including representatives from various sectors, are attending the two-day dialogue.
The regional policy dialogue, co-hosted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and the World Bank Group-led SAPLING initiative, focuses on advancing food processing for employment generation and sustainable growth in South Asia. Paswan highlighted the importance of food processing in enhancing employment opportunities, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving food security. He emphasized the need for value addition, technology adoption, and regional collaboration in the food processing sector.
Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani welcomed delegates to the event and emphasized the role of the food processing sector in driving agricultural transformation. Vaghani reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting agro-industrial development and fostering employment generation and economic growth. The dialogue includes discussions on various themes such as food processing opportunities, agricultural supply chains, technology-driven innovation, and regional policy cooperation.
