Building India’s Next-Generation Agri-Food System

Abstract

India’s Reform Wave in Agri- Food System India’s agri-food landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation. In recent years, there has been a wave of national initiatives—each aimed at improving productivity, sustainability, farmer incomes, and nutritional security. From dietary diversification to digital agriculture, ecological transitions to institutional strengthening, the country is laying down the building blocks of a more modern and resilient food system. One of the most visible shifts has been the renewed emphasis on nutritionsensitive crops. The International Year of Millets in 2023 catalysed unprecedented global and domestic attention, with states launching dedicated millet missions, investing in value-chain development, and integrating millets into anganwadi meals, public distribution systems, and school meals. Alongside this, the ongoing national focus on pulses — including MSP support, cluster development, procurement expansion and launch of National Mission on Pulses — marks a significant step toward improving protein security and addressing India’s long-standing pulse deficit.