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Transforming India's Agricultural and Food Industries: CII Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE)

CII's Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE) has significantly contributed to revamping India's agricultural and food sectors, making them more profitable, eco-friendly, and competitive.

Transforming India's agricultural and food systems through the efforts of the CII Food and...
Transforming India's agricultural and food systems through the efforts of the CII Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE)

Transforming India's Agricultural and Food Industries: CII Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE)

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CII FACE) is making a significant impact on India's agrifood sector, fostering partnerships with venture financiers, incubators, and mentors to nurture agri-entrepreneurship.

One of CII FACE's key initiatives is the Network of Agri-Startups, Venture Financiers, and Incubators (NAVI), a platform that provides agripreneurs with an opportunity to pitch, present, and promote their ideas. This platform has been instrumental in encouraging technology adoption and innovation within the sector.

CII FACE also focuses on improving rural livelihoods and increasing farmer incomes by aggregating demand and strengthening market linkages. This approach has had a substantial impact, as seen by the success of the FPO Excellence Awards, introduced in 2023 to recognize and promote best practices within the agrifood industry.

The Cold Chain & Logistics Resource Center (CCLRC) is another significant component of CII FACE's work. The CCLRC is aimed at reducing food loss, maximizing energy efficiency, and optimizing time and cost within cold chain logistics. By developing integrated cold chain networks across India, CII FACE is making a tangible difference in the fight against food waste and ensuring the efficient distribution of agricultural produce.

CII FACE's Technical and Science-Based Interventions include the development of integrated cold chain networks and providing business support to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). The Business Support Unit for FPOs strengthens these organizations by enhancing their capabilities, building scale, and improving access to advanced technologies.

In addition to these initiatives, CII FACE is also committed to food safety. The Resource Centre for Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals (ReCHaN) promotes food safety and quality, while also building consumer awareness and introducing healthier food choices. ReCHaN brings together manufacturers, businesses, consumers, regulators, and other stakeholders to cultivate a robust food safety culture.

CII FACE's capacity-building initiatives have empowered over 35,000 participants from 6,500 food business operators. Under various programmes, these participants have received training to improve their skills and knowledge in areas such as post-harvest logistics, value addition, and cold chain management.

Moreover, CII FACE's strategic focus is centered on improving on-farm and off-farm productivity. Through initiatives like the One Health Support Unit (OHSU), which has trained over 346 community members, 125 A-HELP workers, and 83 health professionals, and vaccinated over 26,728 animals, CII FACE is making a real difference in the lives of farmers and rural communities.

CII FACE was established with the vision of advancing excellence in agrifood systems across India. Over the years, it has empowered over 5,000 women farmers through its Dairy Investment Accelerator (DIA) program. The organisation's work is a testament to its commitment to improving the lives of farmers and rural communities, and its role as a leader in the agrifood sector in India.

While the name of the leading official or head of CII FACE at the time of reporting is not publicly available, the organisation's impact on the agrifood sector is undeniable. CII FACE offers a wide array of services across the entire agrifood value chain, including research and policy advocacy, capacity building, technical and science-based interventions, and promoting best practices and innovation. As it continues its work, CII FACE is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of India's agrifood sector.

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