New Delhi, 6th March, 2026
The Vrihi Foundation, with the support of The Asia Foundation, and in partnership with ekgaon Technologies Private Limited, has launched a project to develop a first-of-its-kind operational framework to support India’s heritage and GI-tagged agricultural products. Titled ‘Promoting Heritage Agriculture through a Tech-Enabled Pathway for Livelihood Upgradation’, the initiative seeks to enhance an understanding of these crops both among policymakers and consumers. The inception meeting of the project was held at the India International Centre on March 6, in the presence of distinguished guests, field experts and policymakers.
Though India’s agricultural diversity spans 15 agro-climatic zones, much of this produce is absent from domestic and global markets. In 2024–25 alone, about 82 percent of India’s agricultural exports came from just five commodities, depriving many farmers of access to wider markets.
The initiative brings together policymakers, researchers, producer organisations, and market actors to the same table, and looks to strengthen value chains — from policy and post-harvest practices to expanding markets and global acceptance. The initiative is designed to improve livelihoods for farmers cultivating heritage crops, enhance visibility and understanding of India’s agricultural heritage, and support sustainable production practices while opening pathways to wider markets.
The initial focus of this initiative is on four commodities: turmeric, mahua, jamun, and galgal. Based on regional consultations and stakeholder interviews, the project will develop actionable recommendations for mapping supply chains, identifying logistical needs, and supporting interventions to enhance these crops.
“We believe India’s most unique produce have not got their due, yet. These commodities need a unique and holistic approach that combine sustainable production practices; protection through IP laws and storytelling that connects with both domestic and global audiences. ” said Om Routray, Founder of Vrihi Foundation.
Two outcomes of the project will be a national playbook, which will offer guidance on realising the potential of heritage agriculture, and commodity-specific studies and action plans that map the agri-food landscape, identify possible products and markets, and recommend interventions involving farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and self-help groups (SHGs).
Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Pratap Singh Aditya, CEO & Co-founder, ekgaon Group, said : “India’s agricultural heritage is 5,000 years old and has been core to its civilisational values. ‘Heritage food’ from across regions offer an opportunity to build farmers’ livelihoods, if only frameworks of policy, finance and markets work in enabling the value chains.
“We are concerned about disappearance of certain production from the mainstream. And, then there is the issue of unethical commercialisation of GI tagged products by other regions or countries. For example, lakadong farmers benefitted very little from the global popularity of the commodity,” said Nandita Baruah, Country Representative, India, The Asia Foundation.
About Vrihi Foundation
Vrihi Foundation is an agri-food thinktank looking to fill the critical gap in food knowledge space. Indian food culture, consumption, trade and diplomacy need strategic intervention and that is what the foundation aims to achieve.
Media contact:
Om Routray
Founder – Director, Vrihi Foundation
Email: om@indianculinaryagenda.org
Phone: 9818836401
