South Asia's agriculture sector is valued at over $700 billion annually
Agriculture employs nearly 43 percent of South Asia's workforce
Agriculture contributes only around 16 percent of South Asia's GDP
More than 30 percent of food produced in South Asia is lost or wasted every year
Food waste in South Asia is enough to feed nearly 300 million people
India's food grain production increased from 51 million tonnes in 1950-51 to more than 330 million tonnes today
India's processed food exports more than doubled over the past decade, rising from approximately $4.9 billion to over $10 billion
Food processing sector contributes around 9 percent of manufacturing value added in India
Food processing contributes nearly 13 percent of India's exports
Key Indian initiatives mentioned: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Food Processing Industries
World Bank Group's AgriConnect platform aims to connect 300 million farmers to markets by 2030
AgriConnect is supporting projects and reforms in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
SAPLING (South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth) serves as a regional platform
Regional High-Level Policy Dialogue titled "Unlocking Value: Advancing Food Processing for Employment Generation and Sustainable Growth in South Asia" held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on 9th June 2026
Two-day regional dialogue brought together around 200 participants including policymakers, industry leaders, development partners, innovators, researchers, startups, and representatives from South Asian countries
Dialogue organized by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India in collaboration with World Bank Group-led SAPLING initiative
