SAPLING Dialogue 2026 Concludes with Call for concrete action plan for holistic development of the food processing Sector.
The two-day Regional High-Level Policy Dialogue 'SAPLING (South Asian Policy Leadership for Improved Nutrition and Growth) Dialogue 2026', jointly organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India and the World Bank Group concluded successfully on June 10, 2026 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The Dialogue, held under the theme 'Unlocking Value: Advancing Food Processing for Employment Generation and Sustainable Growth in South Asia', brought together around 200 participants including policymakers, industry leaders, international organizations, development partners, researchers, startups, financial institutions, and representatives from South Asian countries to deliberate on strengthening resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems in the region. The Union Minister for Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Shri Chirag Paswan, while addressing the inaugural session, highlighted India’s growing role as a global food processing hub and emphasized the importance of value addition, technology adoption, and regional collaboration in transforming South Asia’s food economy.
Source: pib.gov.in
South Asia Can Unlock Millions of Jobs and Billions in Investments Through Food Systems Transformation: World Bank Group at SAPLING High-Level Policy Dialogue.
South Asia stands at a critical moment in its development journey. With millions of young people entering the workforce every year, creating sustainable jobs has become one of the region’s most pressing priorities. The World Bank Group highlighted that transforming food systems beyond the farm can unlock significant opportunities for employment, investment, economic growth, and poverty reduction.
Source: pib.gov.in
FSSAI notifies vegan food norms, establishes new standardised logo.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially notified the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Amendment Regulations, 2026, establishing a new, standardised logo for vegan products. Under this directive, it is now compulsory for all approved vegan food items sold in the country to prominently display the prescribed logo, starting July 1, 2027.
Source: fnbnews.com
India's Modi, Trump likely to meet at G7, discuss trade, visas, source says.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of 7 summit, with trade, visas and energy cooperation set to be high on the agenda, an Indian government source said. The June 15 to 17 summit, in the French town of Evian-les-Bains, will bring together leaders from the world's major economies, including Trump, alongside other high-level delegations from countries including India.
Source: reuters.com
Assam can strengthen India-EU ties through trade, connectivity: Himanta.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the state is well-positioned to play a key role in strengthening India-European Union (EU) linkages, citing its growing economic potential, strategic location and improving connectivity. Taking to X, Sarma said he extended a warm welcome to the European Union delegation visiting Guwahati, led by EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin.
Source: thehansindia.com
Pulse tariffs part of Canada-India free trade discussions.
A free trade agreement between Canada and India should be signed this year, but it’s not yet known whether pulse crops will be part of the deal. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he hoped so. The province exported about two million tonnes of peas and lentils to India in 2024, valued at $1.4 billion.
Source: producer.com
Struggling farmers pin hopes on export of Wayanad rice varieties.
Struggling for survival due to multiple challenges, from erratic weather and labour shortage to soaring input costs and wildlife incursions, paddy farmers of Wayanad are now pinning hopes on the export potential of GI-tagged rice varieties like Gandhakasala and Jeerakasala. Last month, M D Padmarajan, a farmer, exported six quintals of Gandhakasala rice to Dubai. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export by introducing Padmarajan to Lulu Exports, which procured the rice.
Source: newindianexpress.com
Broader mango assortments reveal untapped demand for regional varieties in India.
Handpickd, a direct-to-consumer fresh produce platform operating in Gurugram, Noida, and Bengaluru, offered more than 30 mango varieties this season, a significantly broader assortment than is available through most retail and quick-commerce channels in India. 'The demand was always there; platforms simply weren't offering the choice. When consumers are given real variety, they respond,' Goel says.
Source: freshplaza.com
State scraps 50% import duty refund scheme for oranges.
Maharashtra Government has decided to scrap the 50 per cent import duty refund scheme introduced to help orange growers overcome duty hurdle for exporting the table fruit to neighboring Bangladesh, the biggest export market. The decision stems from its low offtake and criticism that the scheme only benefited traders plus middlemen and not the actual growers for whom the support was intended. The scheme was introduced in year 2023 after Bangladesh revised the duties from 2019, latter increased it three times from Rs 20/kg to Rs 63/kg and at one point of time it breached Rs 100/kg mark, following which traders from neighbouring country turned their back on orange belt of Vidarbha. The Marketing Department of State Government which was overseeing implementation of the scheme but despite subsidy intervention, the orange export to Bangladesh did not materialise, one major reason was long delay in port clearance and also at the border checkpoints, which virtually strangulated the trade.
Source: thehitavada.com
Simdega's 1st mango export to UK historic feat, sign of success of J'khand govt scheme: Official.
The first export consignment of fresh ‘Amrapali’ mangoes from Jharkhand’s Simdega to the UK was a historic achievement and a testament to the success of a state government’s scheme to promote sustainable livelihood, an official said. The mangoes were purchased at Rs 42/kg, which is a much better realisation compared to the market price, Simdega Deputy Commissioner Kanchan Singh said.
Source: theprint.in