Mousmi Chauhan
New Delhi, Dec 16 (UNI) MEWA India, the flagship initiative of the Nuts & Dry Fruits Council (India), aims to empower Indian farmers and integrate them more effectively into global value chains while strengthening India’s nutrition ecosystem.
It is designed to fortify India’s nuts and dry fruits sector from the ground up, providing a platform for farmers, producers, and industry stakeholders to access global best practices, innovations, and market opportunities.
Bola Rahul Kamath, Vice President of the Nuts & Dry Fruits Council (India), said MEWA India was conceived not just as an exhibition, but as a movement to bolster India’s nuts and dry fruits ecosystem from the ground up.
“Since its inaugural edition, which was inaugurated by government leadership with a call for Atmanirbhar aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision, MEWA has focused on building long-term self-reliance in the nurturing and nutrition industry,” he said.
“At the core of this effort is empowering Indian farmers and integrating them more effectively into global value chains,” Kamath added. Over the past two years, NDFC(I) has worked to promote domestic cultivation by connecting Indian growers with global best practices.
He noted, “One notable initiative involves collaboration with leading walnut suppliers from Chile, sharing advanced cultivation and post-harvest technologies with growers in Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and other walnut-producing regions.”
He also highlighted efforts in Karnataka’s cashew sector, which have included distributing high-quality grafts and conducting awareness programs to improve productivity and plant management.
Kamath emphasized that these early steps are critical for building a stronger and more resilient domestic supply base. “MEWA India serves as a knowledge and connectivity platform,” he said. “Farmers, farmer producer organisations (FPOs), and processors gain direct exposure to global harvesting and processing practices—from mechanized shaking and efficient harvesting methods to minimizing post-harvest losses and improving quality standards.”
Beyond the exhibition, NDFC(I) facilitates one-on-one interactions between Indian farmer groups and global experts, providing technical guidance and international exposure.
Through MEWA India, the Council aims to create a seamless link from farmers to processors, processors to global buyers, and domestic production to international markets. This integrated approach, Kamath noted, is central to making India’s nuts and dry fruits industry self-sustainable, globally competitive, and future-ready.
From farm to global markets: MEWA India strengthens India’s nutrition economy
