AMCHAM’s Food Security Conf. Brings Together Government and U.S. Industry Leaders to Champion Sustainable & Resilient Agri-Food Systems

The American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM), a leading apex chamber of U.S. industry based in India successfully concluded its Food Security conference in New Delhi. The event themed "Food Security: Sustainable & Resilient Agri & Food Systems", brought together important stakeholders from the food and agriculture industry especially U.S. Businesses, Government, and academia, to explore and address key challenges and opportunities in creating a resilient and comprehensive food value chain, from production to processing and distribution.

Eminent Speakers included Padma Dr. Ashok Gulati, Distinguished Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), Abhishek Dev, IAS, Chairman, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India; G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI; and Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, IAS, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing, Government of Punjab. Also in attendance were top executives from leading corporates like General Mills India Private Limited, Cargill India, Kellanova, IFF, Corteva Agrisciences, TechnoServe, World Food Programme, YES Bank, U.S. Soybean Export Council, Mosaic India, among others.

The special address by Dr. Ashok Gulati, Distinguished Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) at the conference, emphasized that food security in India encompasses the entire food system - from farms to consumers. Reflecting on the journey from the 1960s, when India relied heavily on unsustainable food aid due to frequent droughts, to becoming a net exporter of USD 48.9 billion in food products in 2024, he highlighted that it's evident that self-reliance has been crucial. Today, with the world's largest free food program and significant opportunities ahead, he exhorted that India must focus on improving consumer nutrition education and enhancing food processing. With annual production poised to reach 600 million tonnes by 2050, tech interventions and increasing processing levels will be vital to unlocking India’s full potential and advancing its food system.

Abhishek Dev, IAS, Chairman of APEDA, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, initiated the session by highlighting the critical need for resilient agri-food systems. He addressed the challenges of India’s agriculture, noting high production but low farmer incomes due to fragmented land holdings, inadequate infrastructure, and climate change impacts. He highlighted government initiatives like PM PRANAM to reduce chemical fertilizer use and promote sustainable practices, aiming to save costs for environmental and economic benefits. He emphasized plans to expand irrigation coverage and promote organic farming, targeting increased exports, particularly to the US. Collaborative efforts with APEDA and AMCHAM aim to boost sourcing from India's northeastern states, aligning with global organic market trends.

The first session of conference- "Empowering Lives with Healthy Choices", wherein the panel discussed how American agriculture and food companies are ensuring access to nutritious food for all. They emphasized promoting health and well-being through better food choices and sustainable food production practices. The session highlighted initiatives aimed at improving nutritional quality and making healthy food accessible to a broader population, thereby fostering community health and sustainability.

Following the first session, the "Adopting Sustainable Practices for a Better Future" panel shared successful sustainability initiatives and their impact on communities. The speakers emphasized that adopting sustainable practices leads to continuous, improved results, with technology playing a vital role. They highlighted the benefits of these practices, including the long-term health of agricultural ecosystems, promotion of healthy habits, conservation of natural resources, and increased income for farmers.

Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, IAS Principal secretary, Ministry of Food processing, Government of Punjab highlighted the potential of integrating food processing with the tourism sector in Punjab. Ms. Bhandari emphasized the importance of linking and connecting Punjab by inclusivity of women and focusing on One District One Product (ODOP) initiatives at the grassroots level to ensure last-mile connectivity.

G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI, discussed the recent legalization of lab-grown meat by the Singapore government, emphasized the necessity of rigorous examination and adherence to quality and safety standards for newly introduced products. Rao reflected on the agricultural landscape at the time of India's independence, noting the introduction of 37 core high-yielding agricultural products to meet national needs before the Green Revolution.

He highlighted that prior to international intervention, micronutrient levels produced were 37% higher. He also identified critical challenges within India's agricultural sector, including excessive pesticide use, product duplication, and the presence of heavy metals. Furthermore, Rao underscored the importance of fortification in enhancing food quality and safety, advocating for continued efforts to address these pressing issues.

The conference concluded with discussions on "Building a 360-degree Food Value Chain." The session reviewed the successes and shortcomings across the entire food value chain, from production and storage to processing. The panel addressed the challenges and opportunities within the sector, providing a comprehensive overview. They demonstrated the interplay between agriculture and processing and highlighted key aspects such as storage, transportation, and policy support.

Commenting on the conference theme Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM said, "The discussions at this conference have highlighted the importance of enhancing agri-food systems for food security. They have strengthened our resolve to transcend traditional methods, creating a collaborative space where all stakeholders work together. India and USA have so much in common to share and learn from each other. The collective force of both the nations can drives us towards a future marked by sustainable, resilient agri-food systems and guaranteed food security."

Leveraging the conference as a perfect opportunity, AMCHAM in association with Yes Bank also launched a report on Making India the Global Food Hub. The report highlighted food transformation and response of agriculture, supply chain challenging growth, key imperatives to boost sustainable growth, private sector contribution.

It speaks of government initiatives aimed at boosting productivity, enhancing farmers' incomes, linking them to markets, and increasing exports. It emphasizes the significant role of US companies in supporting these efforts through technology, innovation, and partnerships. According to AMCHAM, US industry in agriculture and food processing will continue collaborating with agri-tech start-ups, deploying advanced technologies like weather mapping apps and AI to improve crop yields and sustainability across India's agricultural landscape.

The conference successfully brought together various stakeholders to foster dialogue and collaboration, setting the stage for future advancements in India's agri-food sector. AMCHAM and its partners remain committed to driving sustainable growth and ensuring food security through innovation and cooperation.