Uttar Pradesh Sets Its Sights on Becoming India’s Food Processing Powerhouse

Pooja Srivastava / Anytime News Network

Uttar Pradesh is moving with renewed momentum to establish itself as one of India’s leading food processing hubs, with the state government putting investment, technology, entrepreneurship and employment at the centre of its strategy.

The 11th edition of India Food Expo-2026 was inaugurated in Lucknow on Friday by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya at Regalia Greens, near the 1090 Chauraha. The three-day exhibition is being held from September 18 to 20.

After formally inaugurating the expo, Maurya visited stalls set up by companies and entrepreneurs and interacted with food processing businesses and women entrepreneurs. He discussed their products, production processes, business experiences and market opportunities.

Addressing the gathering, Maurya said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the double-engine government is working to accelerate investment, innovation and technological development in Uttar Pradesh’s food processing sector.

He emphasised that adding value to agricultural produce can become a powerful engine for increasing farmers’ incomes while creating employment and strengthening the rural economy. With its large agricultural base, Uttar Pradesh has significant potential to develop a strong ecosystem connecting farms, processing units, markets and consumers.

The government’s focus, he said, is to bring farmers, entrepreneurs, young people and women-led self-help groups into an integrated food processing value chain. Such an ecosystem can strengthen production, processing, packaging, branding and marketing, enabling local products to reach larger national and international markets.

Women entrepreneurs at the centre of rural growth

Maurya highlighted women’s economic empowerment as a critical pillar of rural development. Women associated with self-help groups are being encouraged to enter food processing, packaging and branding activities. Products such as pickles, packaged foods, millet-based items and other local food products can create new avenues of income and entrepreneurship for rural women.

He also stressed the potential of young entrepreneurs. By promoting modern technology, innovation and startup culture, the government aims to encourage young people to become job creators rather than merely job seekers.

Government schemes strengthening the ecosystem

The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the role of schemes such as the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), PMFME and ODOP in providing entrepreneurs with access to finance, technology, training, processing, branding and markets.

He said the government is taking forward the vision of ‘Vocal for Local’ by helping Uttar Pradesh’s local products move from ‘Local to Global’.

The state’s food processing policy provides various incentives for investors, including capital subsidies, interest subsidies and prescribed stamp duty concessions. Infrastructure such as mega food parks, cold-chain networks and agro-processing clusters is also being developed to strengthen the supply chain from farm to market.

Industry, banking and experts deliberate

India Food Expo aims to showcase modern technologies, machinery, equipment, smart packaging solutions and innovative food products while bringing industry stakeholders onto a common platform.

Three major sessions were organised on the opening day. The first, on “Role of Industry and Trade in Viksit Bharat 2047,” featured IIA National President Dinesh Goyal and All India Industry and Trade Board National President Sandeep Bansal.

A second session examined the role of financial institutions in supporting food processing industries, with SIDBI General Manager Jai Kumar Gupta, SBI DGM-SME Sandeep Prakash and other experts sharing perspectives on finance and implementation of government schemes.

A panel discussion on “Idea to Scale – Building Successful Food Business” focused on transforming small food enterprises into scalable businesses through innovation, market expansion and stronger business strategies.

With entrepreneurs, MSMEs, financial institutions, technology experts and government representatives participating, India Food Expo-2026 is emerging as a significant platform for building stronger links between agriculture, industry, finance, technology and markets.

For Uttar Pradesh, the message from the expo is clear: food processing is not merely an industrial opportunity—it can become a powerful catalyst for farmer prosperity, women’s empowerment, youth entrepreneurship and rural economic transformation.