The Government of India has taken a big step towards increasing the income of farmers and making the supply chain more transparent. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi on Monday appealed to hotel and restaurant operators across the country to purchase fruits, vegetables and other food items directly from Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). According to PTI news, he says that this will eliminate the role of middlemen and farmers will be able to get fair price for their produce.
Emphasis on promoting GI tagged products
Chaturvedi also suggested that the hospitality industry should promote GI tagged products in their menus, which is the real identity of Indian food. This will allow tourists to experience the diverse food heritage of India and help hotels enhance the quality and authenticity of their dishes. Speaking at an event organized by the Agriculture Ministry and Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India, he said that if hotels partner with local farmers and directly purchase fresh vegetables, fruits, spices and other products, it will prove beneficial for both farmers and the industry.
Web platform will come soon
Chaturvedi said that currently there are more than 35,000 FPOs active in the country, out of which 10,000 have been formed under government-backed schemes. The Agriculture Ministry is soon going to launch a web-based platform on which FPOs will be able to list their excess stock, so that hotels and restaurants can purchase directly from them. He said that currently hotels and restaurants buy goods from mandis or retail chains. We just want them to start direct sourcing with FPOs around them.
Also spoke on the challenges of the agricultural sector
Chaturvedi said that agriculture accounts for 18% of the country’s GDP and 46% of the people are engaged in it, which is an indication of income inequality. He said that farmers are facing two big problems – small scattered land holdings and huge difference between the price received for farming and the price sold in the market. Direct purchasing arrangements can help reduce this price difference. He said that the demand for organic and pesticide-free foods is increasing rapidly in the country. In such a situation, farmer groups doing natural farming can supply certified organic products by tying up with hotel chains.
India’s identity will increase with GI products
He said that apart from Basmati, there are many GI tagged products in India – grains, fruits, vegetables, spices and processed foods which hotels should promote. Use of GI products will make your menu unique and tourists will be able to recognize the real food heritage of India.
Tourism Ministry also approved the initiative
Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said that direct sourcing is beneficial for both the sectors – agriculture and tourism. He said tourists look for authentic experiences most, and the real taste of food comes only when the ingredients are fresh and local.
Hotel industry will release directory of FPOs
The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India announced that they will release a booklet containing the list of FPOs across the country, their products, and contact details. Apart from this, a special cell will also be created to directly connect the hotel industry with FPOs.
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