AMCHAM’s Agriculture & Food Processing Committee organized its first (hybrid) meeting for the year 2023-24 on June 28th, 2023 at the FMC Office, Gurugram. Ms. Komple Sharma, Director, AMCHAM, welcomed participants and gave an overview of the committee’s initiatives undertaken in the last year. Mr. Prashant Peres, Chairman – Agriculture & Food Processing Committee, AMCHAM and Managing Director – South Asia, Kellogg’s and Mr. Raju Kapoor, Co-Chairman – Agriculture & Food Processing Committee, AMCHAM and Director – Public & Industry Affairs, FMC India Pvt. Ltd. gave opening remarks. They shared the committee’s thrust areas which included – sustainability, supply chain resilience, AgTech, etc.

Dr. Ashok Dalwai, CEO, National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India and Chairman, Committee on Doubling of Farmers’ Income, gave a special address. He talked about India having more mature food systems in the near future that would ensure sustainability, affordability and accessibility. Communication to consumers or awareness should also be taken into consideration, private sector should communicate to consumers about eating for health and wellness. He spoke about the importance of incremental growth in productivity and how the future of agriculture should diversify. Aspects like nutritional value, economic returns to farmers and ecological concerns should be taken into consideration. While speaking about food systems, he focussed on the dire need of having a robust distribution system especially in the perishable sector. He touched upon the positive outcomes from policy intervention like promoting FPOs, ONDC platform, results of Atmanirbhar Bharat, etc. With processing still at a nascent stage in India, he urged members to venture into agro-processing that involves both food and non-food sectors. Dr. Dalwai also spoke about the role of technology and how it will uplift the Indian agricultural space. He requested companies to focus on reducing wastage and investing in technology that will help in reducing food wastage. The committee also thanked and felicitated Mr. Ronald Verdonk, Minister Counselor for Agricultural Affairs, U.S. Embassy for his support and guidance to the committee during his tenure in India. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Dr. Ashok Dalwai, Mr. Ronald Verdonk and members.