CII Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE): Transforming India’s Agrifood Systems

The Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE) has been playing a pivotal role in transforming India’s agrifood systems to become more profitable, sustainable, and competitive. Over the past 12 years, CII FACE has led multiple interventions, focusing on policy advocacy, capacity building, and science-led technical support. Through a combination of partnerships and engagements with stakeholders such as farmers, companies, developmental institutions, and the government, FACE aims to accelerate a culture of excellence within the agrifood industry.

A Promising Vision

CII FACE was established with the vision of advancing excellence in agrifood systems across India. This goal is being achieved through collaborations, knowledge dissemination, and evidence-based interventions. FACE works closely with farmers to improve their livelihoods, with companies to enhance efficiency, and with governmental bodies to align policies with best practices in the agrifood sector. Its ultimate mission is to create a sustainable, competitive, and globally recognized agrifood system for India.

Core Objectives and Focus Areas

CII FACE’s strategic focus is centered on improving both on-farm and off-farm productivity through ground-level interventions. These efforts are aimed at enhancing farmer incomes and livelihoods by improving post-harvest logistics, promoting value addition, and ensuring food safety and quality. FACE also emphasizes the importance of food safety by building consumer awareness and introducing healthier food choices into the market. By linking innovators, farmers, and food businesses, FACE integrates cutting-edge technologies and innovations to foster agrifood systems transformation.

In addition to these objectives, the Centre is dedicated to policy advocacy that focuses on making agrifood systems more profitable and sustainable. FACE’s thought leadership in this area has been instrumental in influencing government policies that support the long-term growth of the sector.

Resource Centers Driving Transformation

CII FACE has established several specialized resource centers, each designed to address key areas within the agrifood system. These centers are crucial to implementing FACE’s broader mission and have already made significant contributions to India’s food and agriculture sectors.

One such initiative is the Resource Centre for Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals (ReCHaN), which promotes food safety and quality by bringing together manufacturers, businesses, consumers, regulators, and other stakeholders. ReCHaN’s collaborative approach helps cultivate a robust food safety culture within the health supplements and nutraceuticals industry.

The Cold Chain & Logistics Resource Center (CCLRC) focuses on developing integrated cold chain networks across India. Its work is aimed at reducing food loss, maximizing energy efficiency, and optimizing time and cost within cold chain logistics. By enhancing cold chain capabilities, FACE is helping to ensure that food reaches consumers in a safe and efficient manner.

The Business Support Unit for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) is another key initiative that strengthens FPOs by enhancing their capabilities, building scale, and improving access to advanced technologies. By aggregating demand and strengthening market linkages, this program has had a significant impact on improving rural livelihoods and increasing farmer incomes.

In addition, FACE has created the Network of Agri-Startups, Venture Financiers, and Incubators (NAVI), which provides a platform for agripreneurs to pitch, present, and promote their ideas. By fostering partnerships with venture financiers, incubators, and mentors, NAVI has been instrumental in nurturing agri-entrepreneurship in India.

Agri-Services and Offerings

CII FACE offers a wide array of services that span the entire agrifood value chain, from farming to post-harvest logistics and food processing. Its core services include research and policy advocacy, capacity building, technical and science-based interventions, and promoting best practices and innovation.

In the area of policy advocacy, FACE conducts evidence-based research to inform and influence governmental policies. Additionally, FACE has a strong focus on capacity building, offering training programs on farm practices, food safety, and cold chain logistics. More than 35,000 participants from 6,500 food business operators have been trained under various capacity-building initiatives. The Centre’s Technical and Science-Based Interventions include the development of integrated cold chain networks, as well as providing business support to FPOs.

FACE also encourages technology adoption and innovation by facilitating partnerships between innovators and food business operators. This has led to the successful implementation of various technologies that have improved productivity and sustainability across the agrifood system.

Achievements and Impact

Over the years, CII FACE has made substantial contributions to India’s agrifood sector. It has empowered over 5,000 women farmers through its Dairy Investment Accelerator (DIA) program, while also facilitating an investment pipeline worth INR 32 billion. Under the One Health Support Unit (OHSU) initiative, FACE has trained 346 community members, 125 A-HELP workers, and 83 health professionals on animal health. The program has also vaccinated over 26,728 animals.

In terms of capacity building, FACE has trained more than 450 farmers in agronomy practices and post-harvest management, while over 500 food business operators have received training on regulatory compliance across 13 states. FACE’s Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program has conducted over 530 training sessions, benefiting more than 18,820 participants.

In 2023, FACE introduced the FPO Excellence Awards, further highlighting its commitment to recognizing and promoting best practices within the agrifood industry.

Looking Forward
CII FACE is at the forefront of transforming India’s agrifood systems. By focusing on sustainability, innovation, and capacity building, it has made significant strides in improving the livelihoods of farmers, enhancing food safety, and creating a more competitive and sustainable agrifood sector. Through its continued efforts, FACE is well-positioned to drive India’s agrifood systems toward global excellence.