CM Vishnu Deo Sai’s Key Meeting with Union Minister Paswan
Focus on NIFTEM, Food Processing, and Regional Food Summit
The sunday mail
New Delhi। Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met Union Minister of Food and Consumer Affairs Shri Chirag Paswan Monday in New Delhi. The meeting focused on several public-interest issues related to Chhattisgarh, especially food security, agriculture-based industries, and the growing food processing sector.
The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to consider establishing a NIFTEM (National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management) campus in Chhattisgarh. He said that the state is agriculturally strong, and such an institution would greatly benefit local youth by providing advanced training in food technology, entrepreneurship, and skill development. Thousands of farmers and students could gain direct advantages from such a centre.
The Union Minister appreciated the proposal and assured the Chief Minister of full support, adding that the ministry would examine the matter positively.
During the discussion, the Chief Minister also proposed that the Regional Summit of World Food India be organized in Raipur. He said Raipur’s rich food culture, strong connectivity, and natural diversity make it an ideal destination for such an event.
A regional festival on the lines of World Food India (Delhi) and the North East Food Festival (Guwahati) would not only promote local cuisine but also help new food-based enterprises grow. The state suggested that this summit be held every two years.
The Chief Minister further informed the Union Minister that Chhattisgarh aims to build food testing laboratories and food irradiation units to improve food quality and safety standards in the state. He highlighted the need for central support for these facilities. He also said that connecting large investors to rice- and horticulture-based value chains will create new livelihood opportunities for farmers, women’s self-help groups, and rural communities.
Explaining the state’s initiatives, the Chief Minister said that food processing has been given special priority in Chhattisgarh’s new industrial policy, with several additional incentives for investors. He mentioned that Drools, India’s second-largest pet food company, is investing ₹1,000 crore in Chhattisgarh, which is expected to create around 3,000 jobs, especially benefitting rural and tribal areas.
He also shared the state’s vision of developing Chhattisgarh as a Rice Bran Oil Hub, which would reduce the country’s dependence on imports and support India’s mission of becoming self-reliant. He said these efforts are steps toward building an Aatmanirbhar Chhattisgarh and achieving the goal of a Developed India by 2047.
The meeting was also attended by the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary Shri Rahul Bhagat, and Investment Commissioner Smt. Ritu Sen.
