World Food India 2025: The aroma of Jharkhand’s forests and fields filled Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, as the Jharkhand Pavilion drew impressive crowds at World Food India 2025.
Organized by the Department of Industries, the state’s presence at the expo became a celebration of tribal, organic, and natural foodsโbringing the earthy flavors and resilient spirit of rural Jharkhand to a global audience.
๐ Stepping Into the Global Spotlight
World Food India 2025 isn’t just a trade fairโit’s the country’s biggest curtain-raiser for the future of food, innovation, and sustainable agribusiness.
And this year, all eyes were on Jharkhand, recognized as a Focus State, lauded for its natural resources, agricultural wealth, and food processing potential.
Visitors to the pavilion were greeted by a dazzling spread:
- Ragi laddoos from the red soils of Gumla and Lohardaga
- Wild mushrooms and pickles from tribal kitchens
- Bamboo shoots and mahua treats
- Jackfruit delicacies, tamarind, and local gourd-based productsโall organic and certified by trusted groups
These are not just snacksโthey represent the knowledge of generations, sustainable practice, and the robust biodiversity of Jharkhand’s three agro-climatic zones.
๐๏ธ Tribal Communities at the Forefront
What set this year’s exhibit apart was the clear integration of tribal producers into the mainstream market.
More than 26,000 farmers in Jharkhand are now contributing ragi and other millets, their produce reaching across the state and beyond through both physical and digital channels.
Organizations like self-help groups and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have enabled women and indigenous farmers of Khunti, Dumka, and West Singhbhum to earn steadily and participate in India’s food boom.
๐ Remarkable Economic Growth
The economic story is remarkable: the state’s rural collectives have supplied ragi, millet, organic fruits, and honey across Indian cities, with burgeoning interest from bulk buyers and food processors at World Food India.
Key Milestone: The state has seen a surge in millet farmingโexpanding from 20,000 to 90,000 hectares in just two years, thanks to the Jharkhand Millet Mission, which supports over 177,000 farmers.
๐ Data Bites: Jharkhand’s Food Profile
๐พ Agricultural Powerhouse:
- โข 12.29 lakh hectares total cultivated area
- โข Nearly 44 lakh metric tonnes of vegetables produced in 2023โ24
- โข 12.7 lakh metric tonnes of fruit produced in 2023โ24
๐ National Leadership:
- โข Highest pulses productivity in India
- โข 88 natural farming clusters established for chemical-free, eco-friendly agriculture
๐ฐ Investment Attraction:
- โข The food sector has attracted over โน7,200 crore in FDI over the past decade
๐ฉโ๐พ Local Stories, Bigger Dreams
Behind every organic product was a local story.
Take Sushila Devi of Dumka, who grew up selling millets in haats but now sees her produce reach hypermarkets in Ranchi and Kolkata.
“Our lives have changed. Earlier we survived on little; now we dream for our children.”
โ Sushila Devi
During the four-day event, chefs, entrepreneurs, and visitors sampled ragi laddoos, mahua vinegar, and wild gourd delicaciesโmany buying products for the first time, many expressing amazement at the quality and health benefits.
๐ OpportunitiesโAnd the Road Ahead
The inclusion of Jharkhand’s tribal and rural food products at World Food India has opened significant new doorways:
โ Key Opportunities:
- Wider Markets: Several food companies signaled intent to source directly from Jharkhand’s farmer groups
- Sustainability: Most products are forest-friendly and organic, using biodegradable sal-leaf packaging
- Job Creation: Young entrepreneurs and women’s groups see agri-processing as an avenue for prosperity
โ ๏ธ Challenges to Address:
But challenges continueโfair pricing, consistent quality, maintaining the organic ethos, and ensuring forests aren’t over-harvested.
A delicate balance is needed as Jharkhand pursues mainstream integration while preserving what makes its food unique.
๐ฏ What This Means for Jharkhand
World Food India 2025 has done more than showcase delicaciesโit has amplified local voices, spurred sustainable economic growth, and spotlighted Jharkhand as a land of entrepreneurial possibility grounded in tradition.
If the momentum continues, tribal, organic, and natural foods from Jharkhand’s heartlands may soon become dinner-table staples across India and even globally.
๐ A Milestone Moment
For Jharkhand, this is not just an exhibitionโit’s a milestone moment, promising transformation steeped in respect for land, community, and heritage.
