The government on Monday called on hotels and restaurants to source produce directly from farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), aiming to boost farmers’ incomes by cutting out middlemen from the supply chain, reported PTI.
Speaking at an event organised by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India and the agriculture ministry, Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi emphasised the benefits of direct partnerships between the hospitality sector and local farmers.
"We have a large number of hotels and restaurants across the country. And if you are able to develop a partnership with the local farming community to get authentic food, vegetables, spices, and other things, then it will be a win-win situation," Chaturvedi said.
He also encouraged hotels to promote Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products to enhance the dining experience for tourists. India has numerous registered GI food products beyond Basmati rice, including vegetables, fruits, grains, and processed foods.
"I would also request that if you are able to promote those GI products across the country in your cuisines. I am sure many tourists will love to notice that this is a GI heritage of our country," Chaturvedi added.
India currently has around 35,000 FPOs, including 10,000 established under government schemes, the secretary noted. The ministry plans to launch a web-based platform allowing FPOs to register surplus produce for direct procurement by businesses, hotels, and restaurants.
"They (hotel and restaurant chains) are, in any case, procuring fruits, vegetables, spices and food grains from local mandis or from some retail chains. What we are requesting them is to start buying directly from the FPOs, which are around that particular unit," Chaturvedi said.
Highlighting the economic importance of agriculture, he pointed out that the sector contributes 18 per cent of India’s GDP while employing 46 per cent of the workforce, yet farm incomes remain significantly lower than non-farm sectors. The farm sector faces challenges such as fragmented landholdings that limit scalability and bargaining power, and a notable gap between farmgate and retail prices. Direct partnerships with farmers could help bridge this gap.
Chaturvedi also noted growing demand for pesticide-free and organic food, suggesting that clusters of farmers producing organic or natural produce could collaborate with hotels for certified organic procurement.
Suman Billa, additional secretary in the tourism ministry, said such direct sourcing would benefit both sectors.
"When a tourist travels, what is it that he cherishes the most? He cherishes an authentic experience," Billa said, adding that gastronomy plays a key role in this experience and requires fresh, high-quality ingredients.
The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India announced plans to publish a booklet listing FPOs along with their products and contact details, and to set up a cell to facilitate direct connections between hotels and FPOs.
Hotel industry leaders present at the event included Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, President of Lemon Tree Hotels; Ajay Bakaya, Managing Director of Sarovar Hotels; and Rahool Macrius, Market Managing Director of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.
With inputs from PTI
Speaking at an event organised by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India and the agriculture ministry, Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi emphasised the benefits of direct partnerships between the hospitality sector and local farmers.
"We have a large number of hotels and restaurants across the country. And if you are able to develop a partnership with the local farming community to get authentic food, vegetables, spices, and other things, then it will be a win-win situation," Chaturvedi said.
He also encouraged hotels to promote Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products to enhance the dining experience for tourists. India has numerous registered GI food products beyond Basmati rice, including vegetables, fruits, grains, and processed foods.
"I would also request that if you are able to promote those GI products across the country in your cuisines. I am sure many tourists will love to notice that this is a GI heritage of our country," Chaturvedi added.
India currently has around 35,000 FPOs, including 10,000 established under government schemes, the secretary noted. The ministry plans to launch a web-based platform allowing FPOs to register surplus produce for direct procurement by businesses, hotels, and restaurants.
"They (hotel and restaurant chains) are, in any case, procuring fruits, vegetables, spices and food grains from local mandis or from some retail chains. What we are requesting them is to start buying directly from the FPOs, which are around that particular unit," Chaturvedi said.
Highlighting the economic importance of agriculture, he pointed out that the sector contributes 18 per cent of India’s GDP while employing 46 per cent of the workforce, yet farm incomes remain significantly lower than non-farm sectors. The farm sector faces challenges such as fragmented landholdings that limit scalability and bargaining power, and a notable gap between farmgate and retail prices. Direct partnerships with farmers could help bridge this gap.
Chaturvedi also noted growing demand for pesticide-free and organic food, suggesting that clusters of farmers producing organic or natural produce could collaborate with hotels for certified organic procurement.
Suman Billa, additional secretary in the tourism ministry, said such direct sourcing would benefit both sectors.
"When a tourist travels, what is it that he cherishes the most? He cherishes an authentic experience," Billa said, adding that gastronomy plays a key role in this experience and requires fresh, high-quality ingredients.
The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India announced plans to publish a booklet listing FPOs along with their products and contact details, and to set up a cell to facilitate direct connections between hotels and FPOs.
Hotel industry leaders present at the event included Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, President of Lemon Tree Hotels; Ajay Bakaya, Managing Director of Sarovar Hotels; and Rahool Macrius, Market Managing Director of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.
With inputs from PTI