Realizing the importance of global and regional alliances to share knowledge and the genetic diversity for food security and sustainability, India has been making concerted efforts to develop close linkages with other countries and internationally renowned research institutions. MoFPI is putting efforts to seek international cooperation in the area of food processing research and education in India.

 
The ministry liaises with foreign governments and other multilateral agencies for cooperation in various areas of food processing through bilateral research projects, MoUs and Work plans.Food processing sector has been recognized as a promising sector by World Bank also. The World Bank is looking forward to provide support for the infrastructure development and supply chain network promotion in India.If we see the recent developments in the food processing sector in the light of foreign cooperation, many American investors are interested in starting business operations in India.The Kenpo Group of companies from Los Angeles expressed interest in setting up mega food parks in India while Amy's Foods, a San Francisco-based organic and packaged food services company, expressed their intention to set up and start operations in India.Similarly, Melissa, a Los Angeles-based company that is into food retailing and marketing and is the principal supplier of Indian mangoes to the US, is keen on entering the country for sourcing its supplies and setting up India operations. Another leading American company, Dole, which operates in 19 countries, building cold chains and supply chains and is a supplier of processed food, indicated their intent to enter India and start business operations, he said.American companies evincing interest in food processing assumes significance as it has been identified by the Indian government as a priority sector. The Vision Document of the government provides for an investment of about Rs 1 trillion in the sector of which Rs 100 billion only is to come from the government. India has such a untapped potential in food processing sector that needs to be harnessed. More and More Public –Private partnership needs to be invited to strengthen this sector.

 

Union Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram has approved 23 Foreign Direct Investment proposals recommended by Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in its meeting held on 23rd April, 2007. The approval amounts to Rs. 351.4132 crore.  The proposals relate to Many Ministries/Departments, that includes Food Processing Industries too.

Apart from business tie ups, India works with the support of international agencies for the knowledge up gradation through various educational programmes.

International Food Technology Training Centre (IFTTC)

The need for establishing a centre for training of professionals in Food Science and Technology for South and South-East Asia was felt by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as early as in 1960. Considering the excellent infrastructural facility and expertise in this field, it was decided to establish this centre at CFTRI and the International Food Technology Training Centre was formally opened in 1964. The funds for establishing the centre was mainly from Canadian Freedom from Hunger programme routed through FAO and with general support from CSIR and Government of India. The scientists in the R and D departments of CFTRI participate as faculty in the various academic programmes conducted at CFTRI. The state-of-art facilities of the R and D labs, pilot plant and food engineering centre of CFTRI are used for giving an excellent training to the participants of the various training programmes conducted at CFTRI.

The International School of Milling Technology (ISMT) was established in 1981, with the objective of providing roller flour mills in India and other developing countries with professional-grade personnel who can improve the quality of milled products, produce specific flours, minimise energy requirements, and improve overall milling productivity. It was brought into being by the active collaboration of the Government of Switzerland and the Roller Flour Milling Federation of India. CFTRI was selected for locating the school on account of its infrastructural strength, reservoir of expertise and importantly, its specialised and vast experience in running international training programmes designed to meet the unique requirements of South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. The Government of India has provided the building, basic infrastructure and manpower, while the Government of Switzerland has given away a 20-tonne capacity roller flour mill and laboratory equipment required for hands-on training.