Key Highlights

  • Partner Country: India was Partner Country at SIAL Paris 2026, held from October 17-21.
  • Clear theme: The India pavilion carried the title “Feeding Our Tomorrow”.
  • Women in focus: With 2026 named the UN’s International Year of the Woman Farmer, India highlighted women-led farming.
  • Drone power: Nashik’s Priyanka Mohite said her drone covers an acre in 7-8 minutes using about 10 litres of water.
  • Europe push: The EU-India FTA, concluded in January 2026, is expected to be signed by year-end.

At SIAL Paris 2026, one of the world’s biggest food exhibitions, India told a story that went beyond products on shelves. As Partner Country, India presented an agricultural revolution led by small farmers and built on diversity, resilience, sustainability and self-sufficiency, according to an article in Euronews.

The India pavilion at Paris Nord Villepinte, which ran from October 17 to 21, carried a simple title: “Feeding Our Tomorrow”.

A Shift Towards Smarter, Greener Farming

India’s participation was led by Jawed Ashraf, Chairman of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and India’s former ambassador to France and Monaco from 2020 to 2024.

Ashraf described a move towards sustainable, climate-resilient farming, with less chemical use and better traceability. Drones, sensors, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things are helping farmers manage water, fertilisers and crop protection more efficiently, an increasingly important advantage as extreme weather threatens food production.

India already produces grains, fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat and seafood for roughly one-sixth of humanity. Ashraf sees this capacity, combined with greener methods, as part of the world’s food security answer.

Women at the Heart of the Story

With the United Nations declaring 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer, India highlighted the role of women in its farm sector. Many farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) in India are founded and run by women, helping raise household incomes and giving women greater independence and influence.

Meet Priyanka Mohite, the Drone Pilot

One of those women travelled all the way to Paris. Priyanka Rhushikesh Mohite from Nashik, Maharashtra, is a certified agricultural drone pilot. Her drone sprays nano fertilisers and spreads seeds.

The difference, she explained, is huge. Covering an acre once took a full day and about 200 litres of water. With a drone, it now takes just seven to eight minutes and around 10 litres. That means big savings in time, water and labour for farmers.

Premium Indian Foods on Display

At SIAL, India focused on packaged, ready-to-eat and premium foods, backed by traceability and geographical indication (GI) tags. Products such as Naga chilli and Mithila makhana, the edible seeds of the fox nut plant, showcased India’s unique regional flavours.

Eyeing Europe

ITPO is considering opening offices in European cities such as Frankfurt, Paris, Milan and Rotterdam. The EU-India free trade agreement, concluded in January 2026, is expected to be signed by the end of the year. It builds on India’s trade deals with the UK and the European Free Trade Association, which have already opened zero or reduced tariffs for Indian food products.

Ashraf believes farmers and MSMEs can benefit, provided they meet European market standards and connect with buyers.

Why It Matters

Stories like Priyanka’s show that India’s farm revolution is no longer just about producing more. It is about producing smarter, with women and technology leading the change.

What Comes Next

The real challenge, the report noted, is to spread such progress widely and build a stronger presence for Indian food producers in Europe.

With inputs from IANS.