New Delhi: Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, Anita Praveen, today called for stronger collaboration among farmers, farmer producer organisations (FPOs), industries, and the government to boost value addition, reduce wastage, and improve farm-to-fork efficiency. She stressed the critical role of FPOs and urged their training and empowerment to enhance production, processing, and marketing efficiency.
Addressing the session on Farm Prosperity at FICCI’s 97th AGM and Annual Convention, Praveen highlighted the transformative impact of establishing micro and medium processing units near farms, improving logistics, and promoting FPO-led initiatives. She said, “Retaining wealth through value addition is essential for India’s agricultural growth. When industries engage directly with farmers through training, weather forecasting, technical inputs, financial tools, and collaborative planning, they create a strong foundation for agricultural success.”
Hemant Sikka, Co-Chairman of FICCI’s Agriculture Committee, emphasised agriculture’s central role in India’s journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047. He highlighted agriculture as the backbone of India’s economy, employing nearly half the workforce and driving rural development and food security. Sikka outlined FICCI’s target to double agricultural exports to ₹8 lakh crore by integrating digitalisation, mechanisation, and productivity improvements. He reaffirmed FICCI’s commitment to enhancing market access, optimising inputs, and promoting sustainable practices to position India as a global agricultural powerhouse by 2047.
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Syed Junaid Altaf, Group Executive Director of FIL Industries, showcased the potential of horticulture clusters in driving farmer prosperity. He explained how these clusters address challenges like productivity, market linkages, and resilience. Sharing insights from FIL’s Apple Cluster Program in Kashmir, he described a holistic approach involving high-density planting, integrated nutrient management, farmer capacity building, and parametric insurance solutions to enhance productivity and climate resilience.
Subroto Geed, president of a leading agriculture science company, emphasised embedding sustainability into business strategies to boost productivity and long-term prosperity. Highlighting Corteva’s innovations, he cited hybrid corn achieving US-level yields in Bihar and direct-seeded hybrid rice conserving water, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving farmers’ returns. He also stressed the importance of advanced crop protection products like selective nematicides that protect soil health and increase yields. Linking sustainability, productivity, and prosperity, Geed reinforced these as key pillars for achieving India’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’
Nitika Nathani, Partner at McKinsey & Company, moderated the session, ensuring a dynamic exchange of insights and strategies.
