SAPLING Dialogue Demands Concrete Action Plan to Boost South Asian Food Processing and Employment
High-Level Dialogue Concludes in Ahmedabad on Future of Regional Food Economy
The two-day regional summit, the "SAPLING (South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth) Dialogue 2026," concluded successfully on June 10, 2026, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This high-level policy dialogue was jointly organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, and the World Bank Group.The event focused on the theme "Unlocking Value: Advancing Food Processing for Employment Generation and Sustainable Growth in South Asia." Approximately 200 participants attended the deliberations, comprising policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, development partners, and representatives from various South Asian nations.
Addressing the opening session, Union Minister Shri Chirag Paswan highlighted India's increasing role as a major global food processing hub. He stressed that successful transformation hinges upon effective technology adoption, strategic value addition, and robust regional collaboration across the continent.
India Pledges Commitment to Drive Inclusive Food Processing Growth
Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Shri Avinash Joshi, underscored during the concluding session that food processing represents a fundamental national and regional imperative for South Asia. He reaffirmed India's dedication by noting its flagship schemes and long-term development vision for the sector.Shri Joshi emphasized that growth must be inclusive and focused on grassroots impact. A core directive is to ensure employment generation, thereby benefiting MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, and rural communities. This focus aims to guarantee that the advantages of sectoral expansion reach the small businesses and farmers directly.
The SAPLING Dialogue demonstrated the powerful strength derived from multi-stakeholder partnerships. Governments, industry leaders, and development institutions must collaborate closely, transitioning ideas into tangible actions for resilient food systems across South Asia.
Call for Action: MoFPI and World Bank Group Pledges Deeper Collaboration
The two-day Dialogue culminated in a definitive call for a concrete action plan. This critical next step requires deeper collaboration between the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and the World Bank Group.This partnership is intended to drive the holistic development of South Asia's food processing sector. Shri Joshi acknowledged the crucial role of the World Bank Group and the entire SAPLING team in conceptualizing and co-organizing the successful event.
He also extended gratitude to all delegates from South Asian countries, noting that their valuable perspectives successfully enriched the discussions and strengthened the spirit of regional solidarity.
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