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Stress on moving past traditional agri methods at Food Systems Summit
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Friday, 28 March, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Abhitash Singh, Mumbai
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 The Times Now Food Systems Summit 2025 was held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Mumbai's Novotel Hotel, bringing together a distinguished assembly of policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to deliberate on the future of India's food systems. The summit's theme, "Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Food Systems," underscored the urgency of transforming agricultural practices to ensure food security and environmental sustainability.?
R.C. Chand, Member of NITI Aayog and chief guest for the event, opened the summit with a compelling address titled "Beyond the Green Revolution: Building a Resilient and Inclusive Agricultural Future for India." He emphasised the need to move past traditional agricultural methods, advocating innovative practices that prioritise sustainability and inclusivity.
Chand highlighted the importance of integrating technology and policy reforms to empower farmers and enhance productivity while preserving natural methods.
Dr. R.G. Agarwal, chairman emeritus of Dhanuka Agritech, delivered a special address on "Vast Potential: Unexplored in Indian Agriculture." He shed light on the myriad opportunities within India's agricultural sector that remain underutilised. Dr. Agarwal called for increased investment in research and development, adoption of advanced technologies, and the implementation of farmer-centric policies to unlock this potential and drive agricultural growth.?
A pivotal session focused on "Reducing Food Wastage to Combat Global Hunger: The Role of Regulations and Innovations in Building Sustainable Food Systems." Pritee Chaudhary, Regional Director of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), illuminated the critical issue of food wastage and its impact on global hunger. She emphasised the need for stringent regulations and innovative solutions to minimise waste across the supply chain. Chakravarthi AVPS, global ambassador of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), moderated the session, steering the conversation towards actionable strategies and collaborative efforts to address this pressing challenge.?
The session on "Transforming Agriculture for a Sustainable Future: Innovations in Soil Health, Resource Efficiency, and Biotechnology" featured insights from Dr. Sian Das, Former Director of ICAR-IIMR, and Tushar Aggarwal, founder of Rise Hydroponics. They discussed cutting-edge approaches to enhance soil health, optimise resource use, and leverage biotechnology for sustainable agricultural practices. The session, moderated by Chakravarthi AVPS, highlighted the significance of adopting innovative techniques to ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.?
Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO representative in India, delivered a special address on "Transforming Food Systems in a Rapidly Changing Global Context: The Challenges and Opportunities for India." He provided a comprehensive analysis of the global factors influencing India's food systems and outlined strategies to navigate these challenges while capitalising on emerging opportunities to strengthen the nation's food security.?
The CEO's fireside chat, titled "Future of Agri-Food Innovation: Aligning Productivity, Sustainability, and Consumer Trends," featured Haresh Karamchandani, managing director and CEO of Hyfun Foods, and Gyanendra Shukla, managing director and CEO of Rallis India. Moderated by Subhaprada Nishtala, director of Food Adroit, the discussion delved into balancing the demands of productivity and sustainability while adapting to evolving consumer preferences. The leaders shared their experiences and strategies for driving innovation in the agri-food sector.?
A panel discussion on "Future-Ready Food Processing: Cross-Sector Collaboration in Food Systems, Agriculture Investment, and Technology" brought together experts to explore the synergies between various sectors in enhancing food processing capabilities. The dialogue emphasised the importance of collaboration, investment in agriculture, and the adoption of advanced technologies to build a resilient and efficient food processing industry.?
The Times Now Food Systems Summit 2025 served as a catalyst for meaningful conversations and collaborations aimed at transforming India's food systems. By addressing critical issues such as sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity, the summit paved the way for actionable strategies to ensure a secure and prosperous agricultural future for the nation.
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