The food value chain is one of the largest sectoral contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In India, agriculture and related activities contribute significantly to the country's GHG emissions. Transitioning to low carbon food systems is essential to meet India's climate goals and ensure sustainable food security for its growing population.

 

Current Scenario

India is one of the world's largest producers and consumers of food, with a diverse agricultural sector that includes livestock, dairy, and seafood. The carbon footprint of food varies widely, with meat and dairy products having the highest emissions due to methane production from livestock. India has a cattle population of approximately 192.5 million, a buffalo population of 109.9 million, and significant poultry and fish production, all contributing to high methane and CO2 emissions.

Importance of Low Carbon Food

• Reducing GHG Emissions: Transitioning to low carbon food systems can significantly reduce GHG emissions from agriculture, which currently accounts for about 18% of India's total emissions.
• Sustainable Food Security: Low-carbon food systems can enhance food security by promoting sustainable agricultural practices that conserve resources and protect ecosystems.
• Economic Benefits: Developing and adopting low carbon food technologies can create new economic opportunities and drive innovation in the agri-food sector.

Key Technologies

Cultured Meat and Plant-Based Meat

• Development of scalable cultured meat production facilities and advanced plant-based meat products.
• The cultured meat market in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20%, reaching a market size of $500 million by 2030. Cultured and plant-based meat can significantly reduce emissions associated with livestock farming.

Sustainable Livestock Management

• Implementing sustainable livestock management practices, such as improved feeding strategies and methane capture technologies, can reduce methane emissions by 20-30%.
• The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) promotes practices like biogas production from cattle manure, reducing methane emissions and providing renewable energy.

Plant-Based Dairy and Egg Alternatives

• Advances in the taste, texture, and nutritional profile of plant-based dairy and egg products. The plant-based dairy market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18%, reaching $1.2 billion by 2030.
• Wider adoption of plant-based dairy and eggs can substantially lower the carbon footprint of the food sector.

Sustainable Seafood and Aquaculture

• Adoption of IMTA and RAS in aquaculture to enhance sustainability. Sustainable aquaculture practices can reduce the environmental impact of seafood production by 30-50%. 
• Sustainable seafood practices can help mitigate overfishing and reduce emissions from traditional aquaculture.

Case Studies

GoodDot

• GoodDot is an Indian startup producing plant-based meat alternatives. Their products mimic the taste and texture of traditional meat.
• GoodDot has gained significant market traction, promoting plant-based diets and reducing the carbon footprint associated with meat consumption.
• GoodDot's products are available in over 5,000 retail outlets across India, with plans to expand further.

Epigamia

• Epigamia offers a range of plant-based dairy products, including almond and coconut milk-based yogurts. Epigamia has seen a 150% growth in its plant-based product line year-over-year.

Aquaconnect

• Aquaconnect is leveraging technology to promote sustainable aquaculture practices in India. Through their platform, Aquaconnect provides farmers with data-driven insights to optimize aquaculture operations and reduce environmental impact.
• Aquaconnect has partnered with over 10,000 fish and shrimp farmers, enhancing sustainability across 15,000 hectares of aquaculture farms.