Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Devesh
Chaturvedi today called on India’s hospitality industry to establish direct, long-term
procurement partnerships with FPOs, terming them essential for securing
consistent, high-quality and largely chemical-free produce.
Speaking at the FPO–Hospitality & Farmers’ Benefit Summit 2025, organised by
FHRAI, he said India’s nearly 40,000 FPOs are well-positioned to meet hotels’ rising
demand for clean and sustainable ingredients. Direct sourcing, he stressed, can correct
the “inverted pricing cycle” where farmers buy inputs at retail but sell output at
wholesale.
He added that such farm–hotel linkages align with the Prime Minister’s call for
stronger agriculture–industry collaboration, helping reduce middlemen, stabilise
supply chains and increase farmer profitability.
Mr. Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & DG, Ministry of Tourism, said India
urgently needs a structured national framework for farmer–hotel linkages to
strengthen tourism value chains and boost rural livelihoods.
FHRAI President Mr. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal reaffirmed hotels’ readiness to
procure from FPOs, provided supply remains consistent and quality-assured.
A focused technical session, moderated by food writer Sourish Bhattacharyya,
outlined an operational blueprint for a national farm-to-hospitality supply chain, with
inputs from experts across agriculture, consulting and hospitality.
A key highlight was an exhibition of 50 FPOs from 17 states, showcasing regional
and GI-tagged products including saffron, mamra almonds, Himalayan turmeric,
forest honey, makhana and yellow tea — offering hotels direct exposure to India’s
diverse agricultural basket.
The Summit concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Garish Oberoi,
acknowledging the Government’s support and the cross-sectoral cooperation that
shaped one of India’s first aligned national frameworks to integrate farmers with the
hospitality industry.
