The Food, Agriculture and Retail Executive Committee is made up of companies representing the entire farm-to-market supply chain. The Committee focuses on advocating policies under three overarching goals:
Value to USIBC Members
Improving Supply Chain Efficiency
A lack of “plow to plate” supply contributes to 40% or more of all food produced in India spoiling before it reaches the market. The Committee is working with Indian and U.S. companies to develop efficiency in cold chain management systems, in efforts to make India “food-secure.”
Food Safety Standards and Industry Best Practices
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been hampered by an unclear mandate that has led to slow product approvals and backlogs at ports of entry. Developing a capacity- building program would promote a transparent, science-based regulatory regime and help alleviate the product approval backlog to ensure that safe food gets to the Indian consumer in a quick and efficient manner.
Draft Model Rules (DMR)
The rules issued under the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978 – While the Act did not touch upon the industry, the DMR is very specific and virtually bans the industry. As the DS Guidelines were progressive and issued in 2016, the DMR of 2012 needs to include definitions and imbibe the spirit of the DS Guidelines
Spoilage
Working with Indian and U.S. companies to improve efficiency in cold chain management systems to make India “food secure” and reduce spoilage from “plow to plate.”
The Committee worked with Niti Aayog in introducing artificial intelligence that can enhance farmers’ income, increase productivity and reduce wastage when used in agriculture.
The Committee proposed to the USDA to engage with India’s Ministry of Agriculture via a dialogue to discuss not only issues on both sides but best practices that will increased productivity.
In Washington and New Delhi, the USIBC has organized meetings for members with the Departments of State, Commerce and Agriculture as well as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The primary focus has been to reinvigorate the U.S.-India agricultural relationship.
The Committee’s efforts to open India to foreign investment in retail have paid dividends. Amazon has invested $2.6 billion in India so far. Wal-Mart paid $16 billion for a 77% stake in Flipkart, a leading Indian retailer. IKEA plans to spend $3 billion opening 25 stores across India
For more information, please contact Sandeep Maini.