Diplomat C. Rajasekhar’s call for a revolution in Indian agriculture and food processing at Agro Tech 2026

Saikat Mondal

2 days ago

Diplomat C. Rajasekhar’s call for a revolution in Indian agriculture

Lucknow, India — At the ongoing Agro Tech 2026 conference, diplomat C. Rajasekhar, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, delivered a compelling call for a broad transformation of Indian agriculture and the nation’s food processing sector. He described Indian agriculture as being at a “historic turning point,” with vast potential to emerge as a global leader in food production and agri-exports.

Addressing delegates on the second day of Agro Tech 2026, Rajasekhar highlighted the remarkable expansion of Indian agricultural exports. He noted that exports meeting stringent U.S. FDA-compliant standards have surged from just 22 % of total shipments to an impressive 70 %, signaling a significant opportunity for Indian producers on the world stage.

Rajasekhar underscored that to remain globally competitive, India must enhance quality, safety, and efficiency across its agricultural value chain — from farm to processing to export. Drawing a vivid analogy, he likened agriculture to an evolving art that must continuously innovate and optimize to yield its full potential.

Focusing on the state of Uttar Pradesh, he pointed to its leadership in key commodities such as milk, vegetables, wheat, and fruits. However, he acknowledged persistent challenges like low productivity per hectare, fragmented land holdings, and substantial post-harvest losses, especially in perishables such as potatoes and mangoes. Rajasekhar stressed that investments in modern food processing infrastructure are essential to reduce wastage, extend shelf life, and boost profitability.

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He also urged enhanced international collaboration, encouraging countries represented at the event to explore partnerships in agriculture, technology, and food processing. Rajasekhar affirmed that India aims not merely to produce more, but to ensure efficient, high-quality, and export-ready outputs that support both domestic needs and global demand.

Concluding on a note of optimism, he called the agricultural sector a “canvas of opportunities,” urging innovation, investment, and cooperation to realize transformative outcomes for farmers, industries, and consumers alike.