Ministry Hosts Stakeholder Consultation on Horticulture Clusters and Value Chain Development

Thakur stressed that the sector should focus on ensuring that "No child is without access to fruits and vegetables" to address malnutrition issues.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare recently conducted a pivotal Stakeholder Consultation on Horticulture Clusters and Value Chain Development, focusing on vegetable clusters, at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. The event, held on 1 September 2024, gathered a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmer groups, government agencies, ministries, start-ups, and private sector representatives, to discuss and strategize the future of agriculture in India.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, emphasized the importance of supporting smallholder farmers through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and creating clusters with essential infrastructure and market access. He underscored the need to enhance storage infrastructure to minimize post-harvest losses and stabilize prices across different seasons. Thakur stressed that the sector should focus on ensuring that "No child is without access to fruits and vegetables" to address malnutrition issues.

Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, discussed the Cluster Development Programme (CDP) and its holistic approach, which integrates the entire value chain from pre-production to marketing. He highlighted the need for incentive-based policies for post-harvest management and emphasized that producers should be connected to urban markets.

Joint Secretary, Shri Samuel Praveen Kumar, provided insights into clusterization's role in improving production and market access. He highlighted the importance of infrastructure development, logistics networks, and optimizing production practices.

Thematic Sessions:

Strategic Cluster Development and Production Optimization: This session focused on selecting cluster locations based on soil quality, climate, and market proximity. Speakers like Padma Shri Bharat Bhushan Tyagi and representatives from ITC and Sahyadri Farms discussed capacity building and advanced production techniques. The session also emphasized the importance of supporting community institutions like FPOs and integrating them into market ecosystems.

Infrastructure and Investments for Strengthening Value Chain: Discussions centered on essential infrastructure, Public-Private Community Partnerships (PPCPs), and modern cultivation methods. Organizations such as Vaam Agro Farmer Producer Company Ltd., Mondelez, NutriFresh, and DeHaat addressed the need for a hub-and-spoke model for post-harvest infrastructure to reduce crop losses and seasonal price fluctuations.

Market Access and Price Volatility in Agricultural Markets: This session explored strategies to connect clusters to markets and manage price volatility. Inputs from PepsiCo, Cremica, Ninjacart, and Anibhav Farmers’ Club focused on contract farming, knowledge access for farmers, and e-marketplaces. The discussion highlighted the importance of forming dedicated freight corridors and targeting specific cluster objectives.

Smt. Anita Praveen, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, mentioned the recent Expression of Interest (EoI) for 50 irradiation units, which will enhance the shelf life of fresh produce, aligning with the consultation's goals.

Shri Minhaj Alam, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, emphasized the need for public-private partnerships and modern technologies to support horticulture clusters. He reiterated the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration for successful development.

Smt. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, highlighted that India must focus on processing to complement its leading position in production. She stressed that infrastructure development should follow production centers to advance clusters to the next level.

The Stakeholder Consultation underscored the government's commitment to transforming the agricultural sector through integrated approaches that combine infrastructure development, technological adoption, and market linkages. The event provided a comprehensive platform for discussions on enhancing horticulture clusters and value chain development, reflecting the government's dedication to sustainable growth in agriculture and improving the welfare of farmers.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare is committed to continuing such consultations to develop effective policies and schemes that benefit all stakeholders in the agriculture and horticulture sectors.