With support from The Asia Foundation and in collaboration with ekgaon Technologies Private Limited, the Vrihi Foundation has initiated a pioneering project aimed at creating an operational framework for India’s heritage and GI-tagged agricultural products. Named ‘Promoting Heritage Agriculture through a Tech-Enabled Pathway for Livelihood Upgradation,’ this effort is designed to improve awareness of these crops among both policymakers and the general public. The project began with an inception meeting at the India International Centre on March 6, attended by notable guests, experts, and policymakers.
Despite India’s rich agricultural diversity across 15 agro-climatic zones, a significant portion of these crops do not reach domestic or international markets. For instance, in 2024–25, nearly 82 percent of India’s agricultural exports were limited to just five main commodities, restricting many farmers’ opportunities to access broader 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 the disappearance of certain products 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.
