Chirag Paswan Highlights Ladakh’s Untapped Food Processing Potential at PMFME Exhibition in Leh

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan has underlined Ladakh’s immense untapped potential in the food processing sector, calling for stronger efforts to transform the Union Territory into a major hub for value-added agricultural products and rural entrepreneurship.

Speaking during the inauguration of a special exhibition under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme in Leh on Thursday, the Minister said the region’s unique agricultural produce could achieve significant international recognition with proper investment, branding, and market integration.

The exhibition, held at the DC Office Complex in Leh, showcased products developed by PMFME scheme beneficiaries and aimed to strengthen local entrepreneurship, improve market access, and raise awareness about government support available for micro food processing enterprises.

The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) and the Department of Industries and Commerce under the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh.

PMFME Scheme Driving Grassroots Food Processing Entrepreneurship

The PMFME Scheme is one of the Government of India’s flagship initiatives aimed at formalising and strengthening India’s vast micro food processing sector, which employs millions of small producers, self-help groups, and local entrepreneurs.

Officials said the Leh exhibition highlighted how local food businesses are beginning to leverage government support to:

• Improve product quality

• Expand processing capabilities

• Increase value addition

• Build market linkages

• Create employment opportunities

Chirag Paswan visited several exhibition stalls and interacted directly with beneficiaries, listening to their entrepreneurial journeys and encouraging them to continue expanding their businesses.

“He listened with keen interest to their success stories and encouraged all to keep going and achieve further success in their endeavors,” officials said.

Ladakh’s Unique Products Have Global Potential

Chairing a review meeting after the exhibition, Paswan stressed that Ladakh possesses enormous opportunities in food processing due to its distinctive agricultural products and climatic conditions.

“Ladakh has a lot of potential when it comes to the food processing sector and concerted efforts need to be made to bring it to the mainstream,” the Minister said.

He particularly highlighted:

• Sea buckthorn

• Apricot

as two products capable of establishing strong global market identities.

Sea buckthorn, known for its nutritional and medicinal properties, has witnessed rising international demand in:

• Health supplements

• Cosmetics

• Functional foods

• Wellness products

Similarly, Ladakh’s apricots are widely recognised for their unique taste and quality and have growing export potential.

“These two products have the potential to make a mark on the global stage and we need to put in efforts and invest our resources to the optimal level to make this dream come true,” Paswan said.

Government Shifting Focus from Production to Value Addition

The Minister said India’s agricultural sector historically focused heavily on production volumes while paying relatively less attention to value addition and processing.

According to Paswan, the policy direction changed significantly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, with greater emphasis now placed on:

• Food processing

• Value chain development

• Agro-industrial growth

• Rural entrepreneurship

• Export-oriented agriculture

He said the government’s efforts are helping transform agriculture from a production-centric sector into a value-generating economic engine capable of supporting farmers, startups, and rural industries.

World Food India Highlighted as Global Opportunity Platform

Paswan also encouraged food processing stakeholders in Ladakh to participate in large national and international industry platforms such as World Food India.

The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, serves as a global networking and investment platform connecting:

• Food manufacturers

• Exporters

• Investors

• Startups

• Technology providers

• International buyers

The Minister said participation in such platforms can help regional entrepreneurs:

• Access wider markets

• Build export connections

• Learn new technologies

• Attract investment opportunities

Modernisation Push Includes Irradiation Infrastructure

Highlighting ongoing infrastructure modernisation efforts, Paswan said irradiation units are being established across the country through joint collaboration between the Centre and state governments.

Food irradiation technology is increasingly used to:

• Extend shelf life

• Reduce post-harvest losses

• Improve food safety

• Support export compliance

The Minister said more such initiatives are required to address supply chain bottlenecks and strengthen India’s food processing ecosystem.

Buyer-Seller Meets Seen as Key to Market Expansion

Paswan also stressed the importance of regular buyer-seller meets to improve market access for small food processing enterprises.

He said such events should be organised more frequently to:

• Connect producers with buyers

• Improve commercial opportunities

• Strengthen distribution networks

• Encourage business partnerships

Industry experts say one of the biggest challenges facing small food processing businesses in remote regions like Ladakh is limited access to organised markets and large commercial buyers.

Officials Present Detailed Overview of Ladakh Food Sector

During the review meeting, the Minister received a detailed presentation on the state of the food processing sector in Ladakh from:

• Shri Bhubesh Chaudhary, Administrative Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Ladakh

• Shri Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, Director Industries and Commerce, Ladakh

Senior officials from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries also attended the event, including:

• Shri D Praveen, Joint Secretary, MOFPI

• DC Leh Shri Romil Singh Donk

• Other senior UT Administration officials

Food Processing Emerging as Key Rural Growth Sector

Analysts say Ladakh’s harsh terrain and unique agricultural profile make value-added food processing particularly important for local economic development.

Products such as:

• Sea buckthorn

• Apricot

• Herbal products

• Organic produce

• Specialty foods

have growing domestic and international market potential.

The Government increasingly views food processing as a strategic sector capable of:

• Increasing farmer incomes

• Reducing wastage

• Generating rural employment

• Supporting exports

• Promoting local entrepreneurship

The PMFME scheme is expected to play an important role in helping micro-enterprises transition into formal, scalable, and market-linked businesses across India’s rural economy.