Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Shri Chirag Paswan inaugurated an advanced Common Incubation Center (CIC) at the College of Food Technology, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani on June 28, 2026. The center was established with financial assistance from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, in collaboration with VNMKV and the State-Level Nodal Agency of the Agriculture Department, Government of Maharashtra, under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
During the inauguration, Minister Paswan emphasized that India is an agriculture-based nation and continuous efforts will be made to increase farmers' income through the food processing industry. He noted that while India has become self-reliant in agricultural production and exports to many countries, there is now a need to add value to agricultural produce and convert it into higher-value products. The minister highlighted that food processing is essential to increasing agricultural income and should receive greater encouragement, particularly as it addresses the serious issue of food wastage.
Minister Paswan pointed out that many farmers with small landholdings are forced to sell their produce at lower prices due to inadequate storage facilities, and strengthening farmers' capacities to store, process, and add value to their produce is necessary. He appreciated Maharashtra's exceptional performance under the PMFME Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme), noting that the state has secured a leading position in the country.
The minister stressed the need to reduce chemical fertilizer use and adopt organic farming practices to make Indian agricultural products globally competitive. He referenced the "Khet Bachao Abhiyan" being implemented under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership as beneficial to this objective. Addressing students, Paswan advised never compromising on product quality, stating that only quality products survive long-term and build lasting identity. He reiterated the Prime Minister's vision that Indian farmers have the potential to become the food bank of the world.
The event was attended by Minister of State for Public Health and Family Welfare, Water Supply and Sanitation, Energy, Women and Child Development, Public Works (Public Undertakings), and Guardian Minister of Parbhani District Smt. Meghana Tai Bordikar, along with Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Indra Mani, Rajya Sabha Member Shri Ramrao Wadkute, Lok Sabha Member Shri Sanjay Jadhav, and various government officials.