India to Host 4th Plant Based Foods Summit 2026, Paving the Way for a Sustainable Food Future
New Delhi, Mar 05: The 4th Plant Based Foods Summit 2026 will convene policymakers, global institutions, industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors on 10 March 2026 at Auditorium 1, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The summit aims to accelerate the growth of India’s plant-based foods ecosystem and position the country as a global leader in sustainable and future-ready food systems.
Organised by the Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) and supported by key government institutions—including the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO)—the summit will focus on leveraging India’s agricultural strengths and innovation capabilities.
With the theme “Rooted in Tradition, Engineered for Tomorrow,” the event will highlight India’s centuries-old plant-forward food heritage combined with modern food science, advanced processing technologies, and global supply chains. As the world’s largest producer of pulses and a leader in millet cultivation, India is uniquely positioned to become a global hub for plant-based protein manufacturing, innovation, and exports.
The summit will feature keynote addresses from senior government leaders and representatives from international institutions such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations, alongside global trade and innovation bodies. Sessions will explore India’s potential to build a resilient and competitive plant-based sector, covering four strategic themes:
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Global Leadership & Exports
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Innovation & Smart Food
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Heritage & Health
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Scale & Mainstream Adoption
Panel discussions and expert presentations will focus on regenerative agriculture, farmer income opportunities through protein-rich crops, technological advancements such as extrusion and precision fermentation, evolving consumer preferences, and the role of corporate catering and institutional procurement in mainstreaming plant-based foods.
The summit will also highlight policy frameworks and government schemes supporting startups and MSMEs, including food processing incentives, export promotion programs, and regulatory support. New research insights on consumer trends and technological advancements will be unveiled, alongside B2B networking sessions to strengthen collaboration across the ecosystem—from farmers and food scientists to retailers, chefs, and investors.
Commenting ahead of the summit, Praveer Srivastava, Executive Director, PBFIA, said:
“India stands at a pivotal moment in the global food transition. With our rich agricultural heritage, scientific capabilities, and a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, we have the opportunity to lead the next wave of plant-based innovation. The 4th Plant Based Foods Summit will bring together the entire ecosystem to translate this potential into scalable solutions that support farmer prosperity, nutritional security, climate resilience, and export growth.”
The summit is set to catalyse a collaborative roadmap for positioning India as a global leader in sustainable and plant-based food innovation.