Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan, today emphasised the need for quality, innovation, and stronger industry-government collaboration to unlock the full potential of India’s spice sector. Addressing the Bharat Spice Conclave 2026, organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi, the Minister said India must move beyond treating spices as just kitchen essentials and explore their vast potential in areas like nutraceuticals, food supplements, and global trade.

He highlighted that India’s historical trade roots are deeply linked with spices, noting that centuries ago, global trade with India largely revolved around its rich spice heritage. However, he pointed out that the sector has not yet been explored to its full capacity. Mr Paswan urged industry stakeholders to actively suggest reforms, stating that the government is ready to act as a bridge between industry needs and policymaking.

The Minister stressed that while India has achieved significant agricultural production, the focus must now shift towards value addition through food processing. He noted that the sector is currently operating at only about 10-12% of its potential, leaving vast scope for growth. Highlighting government initiatives, he referred to schemes such as the PM Kisan Sampada Yojana and PMFME, which aim to strengthen value chains and promote entrepreneurship in the food processing sector.