Transforming India's Agricultural Systems Through CII Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE)
The Confederation of Indian Industry's Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (CII FACE) has been at the forefront of driving change and promoting excellence in India's agri-food sector. Over the years, CII FACE has made significant strides, impacting thousands of lives and businesses across the nation.
CII FACE offers a comprehensive suite of services that span the entire agrifood value chain. From research and policy advocacy to capacity building, technical interventions, and the promotion of best practices and innovation, CII FACE is committed to fostering a sustainable and profitable agri-food ecosystem.
One of the key areas of focus for CII FACE is food safety. Through its Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program, CII FACE has conducted over 530 training sessions, benefiting more than 18,820 participants across 13 states. Additionally, FACE offers training programs on farm practices, food safety, and cold chain logistics, with over 35,000 participants from 6,500 food business operators having been trained under various capacity-building initiatives.
CII FACE also emphasizes consumer awareness and healthier food choices, working towards a more informed and health-conscious population.
In its pursuit of excellence, CII FACE has established several specialized resource centers. The Resource Centre for Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals (ReCHaN) promotes food safety and quality in the health supplements and nutraceuticals industry, while the Cold Chain & Logistics Resource Center (CCLRC) focuses on developing integrated cold chain networks across India to reduce food loss, maximize energy efficiency, and optimize time and cost within cold chain logistics.
CII FACE is also dedicated to improving both on-farm and off-farm productivity to enhance farmer incomes and livelihoods. Through initiatives like the Dairy Investment Accelerator (DIA) program, CII FACE has empowered over 5,000 women farmers and facilitated an investment pipeline worth INR 32 billion.
CII FACE's vision is to advance excellence in agrifood systems across India. This vision is achieved through collaborations, knowledge dissemination, and evidence-based interventions. Under the One Health Support Unit (OHSU) initiative, CII FACE has trained numerous community members, A-HELP workers, and health professionals, and vaccinated over 26,728 animals.
In 2023, CII FACE introduced the FPO Excellence Awards to recognise and promote best practices within the agrifood industry. CII FACE is also dedicated to policy advocacy, focusing on making agrifood systems more profitable and sustainable.
With the current head of CII FACE being Pawan Kumar Singh, the Centre continues to make significant strides in driving change and promoting excellence in India's agri-food sector. CII FACE has also established the Network of Agri-Startups, Venture Financiers, and Incubators (NAVI) to foster partnerships with venture financiers, incubators, and mentors, nurturing agri-entrepreneurship in India.
CII FACE encourages technology adoption and innovation by facilitating partnerships between innovators and food business operators. Through its evidence-based research, CII FACE informs and influences governmental policies in the area of policy advocacy. The Business Support Unit for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) strengthens FPOs by enhancing their capabilities, building scale, and improving access to advanced technologies.
In conclusion, CII FACE is a leading force in driving excellence and change in India's agri-food sector. Through its comprehensive suite of services, specialized resource centers, and commitment to food safety, consumer awareness, and sustainable farming practices, CII FACE is shaping the future of India's agri-food industry.
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