Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Agriculture

05-February-2013 18:32 IST

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Tariq Anwar met Dr Max Lehmer along with the delegation of Members of German Parliament (Bundestag) belonging to the Parliamentary Committee on Food and Agriculture here today.

While welcoming the Members of the German Parliament the Minister said that India looks forward to German FDI in Agriculture and Food Processing Industries and would like to invite German industry with their latest technology for the development of food parks in India. To give boost to Food Processing sector, Govt of India has allowed 100% FDI under the automatic route in the food processing sector, in agri-products, milk and milk products, and marine and meat products.

He added that India has become the most preferred investment destinations of the world and has attracted a record amount of FDI of about US $50 billion in 2011-12. India is among the fastest growing economies in the world. Agriculture in India contributes to about 14% to GDP and two-third of its population still depends on agriculture for sustenance.

The Minister further added that India has the potential to export bananas, cake of soybeans, cashew nuts, coconuts, cotton, flour of maize and wheat, potatoes and vegetables-fresh and processed. Germany may like to consider the possibility of sourcing these items from India. India is also keen on exporting skimmed milk powder to Germany/EU asIndia is the largest producer of milk in the world and the current year has been very good for milk production.

The Minister congratulated the member of German Parliament on Germany’s successful organisation of the International Green Week (IGW) and Global forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) 2013 and also on the successful organisation of the on-going German Year in India.

MP:DS:CP :India-Germany (5.2.2013)

FDI liberalisation in food processing invites German investment and technology for food parks and to boost exports. The Minister invited German investment and technology into India's food processing sector, noting liberalisation permitting foreign participation via the automatic route for agri-products, milk and milk products, and marine and meat products, and proposed German collaboration on food parks. He identified export opportunities in commodities including bananas, soybean cake, cashew nuts, coconuts, cotton, maize and wheat flour, potatoes, fresh and processed vegetables, and expressed interest in exporting skimmed milk powder to Germany/EU.