India on the Global Plate: World Food India 2025 Launches in New Delhi

World Food India (WFI) 2025 officially began on September 25 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurating the event. The ceremony brought together global dignitaries, along with key Indian ministers like Shri Nitin Gadkari, Shri Chirag Paswan, and Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu. As the curtain lifted on this four-day mega event, it became immediately clear that WFI 2025 was not just a trade exhibition, but a celebration of India’s culinary richness, agricultural strength, and technological innovation.The Vision Behind World Food IndiaLaunched in 2017 by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), WFI has become India’s flagship international platform for showcasing its food sector and attracting global investment. The idea is simple yet ambitious to position India as a global food hub, highlight its diverse food culture, and connect domestic and international stakeholders from farmers to multinational investors. Building on successful editions in 2023 and 2024, the fourth edition in 2025 is the largest yet, with participation from over 90 countries, 2,000+ exhibitors, and tens of thousands of stakeholders spanning the entire food value chain. Partner countries include New Zealand and Saudi Arabia, while Japan, UAE, Vietnam, and Russia are focus countries, emphasizing India’s growing international collaboration in the food sector.India’s Remarkable Food TransformationIndia’s rise as a global food powerhouse is the result of decades of strategic policy support and investment in infrastructure. In 2014–15, processed food accounted for only 13.7% of agricultural exports; by 2024–25, this figure had risen to 20.4%, with overall agricultural and processed food exports reaching USD 49.4 billion. Foreign investment has played a key role, with USD 7.33 billion in FDI equity inflows in the last decade. Infrastructure developments have strengthened the sector,  24 mega food parks, 22 agro-processing clusters, 289 cold chain projects, and 305 processing and preservation units have been completed, reducing post-harvest losses and enabling value addition. Schemes like Operation Greens, PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises, and the Pradhan  Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana ensure that small and micro units are empowered, while initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and millet-based product incentives boost global competitiveness. Today, India is the largest producer of milk, onions, and pulses; the second-largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, tea, fruits, vegetables, and eggs; and is rapidly emerging as a global processed food hub. The number of registered food business operators has grown from 25 lakh to 64 lakh, reflecting the sector’s formalisation and professionalism.WFI 2025: More Than an ExhibitionWhile the numbers are impressive, the human stories behind WFI 2025 give it real meaning. For farmers, the event promises better markets, higher incomes, and reduced wastage as modern food processing units expand across the country. For entrepreneurs and start-ups, it opens doors to mentorship, funding, and global collaboration. For consumers, it translates into safe, nutritious, and innovative food products. The event features high-level knowledge sessions, panel discussions, B2B and B2G meetings, and sectoral exhibitions on food processing, packaging, machinery, and cold chain technology. Aligning with Vision 2047World Food India 2025 is closely linked with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, which aims for a developed, inclusive, and globally competitive nation. By focusing on sustainability, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, global leadership, and innovation, WFI 2025 seeks to boost rural prosperity, improve farmer incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, and create jobs in smaller towns and cities. Discussions on climate-smart technologies, nutrition-focused products, and advanced food-tech underline India’s commitment to a sustainable and future-ready food ecosystem.A Global Stage for India’s Food SectorFrom showcasing traditional grains like millets to exploring emerging sectors like plant-based proteins, WFI 2025 highlights India’s unmatched diversity across ingredients, consumer segments, and supply chains. With its growing infrastructure, pro-business policies, and global partnerships, India is positioned as a reliable partner in addressing global food security challenges. The event underlines the message that India is not only feeding its billion-plus population but is contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth worldwide.