In July 2026, India, one of the world's leading agricultural producers, records an annual production of nearly 357 million tonnes of food grains, 27 million tonnes of pulses, 16 million tonnes of millets, and over 315 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables. It is also stated that agriculture, in the country, contributes nearly 18% to the national GDP, while on the other hand, the food processing sector accounts for 7-8% of agricultural GDP, supporting over 2.3 million enterprises and also generating employment for more than 7 million people.
The whole scenario is also affected by the post-harvest losses ranging between 6-18%, underscoring the need for advanced technologies in storage, packaging, preservation, transportation, and value addition.
Packaging is observed to be a vital component for the agricultural value chain and is also accounted as the fifth-largest sector of the Indian economy, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 26.7% with an estimated valuation of USD 84–102 billion. Globally, the packaging industry is valued at approximately USD 1.14 trillion and is projected to reach USD 1.59 trillion by 2034. Smart and intelligent packaging systems are highly preferred in every industry in today’s era due to their gaining prominence and also for their characteristics, such as enhancing product quality, safety, shelf life, and traceability. Active packaging helps to extend the shelf life of a product by modifying the internal environment, while on the other hand, intelligent packaging helps to monitor and display information about product quality throughout the post-harvest value chain.
The growing importance of smart and intelligent packaging led to ICAR–Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Delhi, organizing a two-day Brainstorming Session on "Harmonization of Smart and Intelligent Packaging Systems for Agricultural Products".
The programme was attended by eminent scientists, academicians, policymakers, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and students to deliberate on recent advancements, challenges, and future strategies in smart and intelligent packaging technologies. The packaging event also witnessed the participation of 18 delegates from ICAR institutes, CSIR laboratories, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), and Banaras Hindu University (BHU), along with 17 international participants, fostering meaningful national and global collaborations. The participants mainly focused on reducing post-harvest losses, enhancing food quality and safety, improving shelf life, promoting sustainable packaging solutions, and strengthening agricultural value chains.
Dr Tanweer Alam, Additional Director and Regional Officer, IIP Delhi, especially highlighted the growing significance of innovative packaging technologies helpful to maintain food safety, sustainability, market competitiveness, and also consumer confidence. The inaugural session was graced by distinguished dignitaries. Prof. J. P. Sharma, Former Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, delivered the Guest of Honour address and highlighted the need for multidisciplinary research, institutional collaboration, and policy support to develop next-generation smart packaging technologies.
Dr Kairam Narsaiah, ADG (Process Engineering) and Acting Director, ICAR-IASRI, New Delhi, emphasized the integration of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and precision agriculture in advancing intelligent packaging systems. Delivering the Chief Guest address, Prof. Baldev Raj Kamboj, Vice-Chancellor, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, stressed the commercialization of indigenous packaging innovations, stronger industry-academia partnerships, and farmer-centric technology development. Mr Pravin Malik, CEO, Agro Innovate India Ltd. (ICAR Unit), outlined strategies for technology commercialization, startup promotion, intellectual property management, and effective transfer of research innovations.
During the event, it was also announced that a consolidated report on ongoing research and development activities in smart and intelligent packaging across institutions would be compiled, followed by the publication of a White Paper. The need to formulate large-scale collaborative projects, coordinated by ICAR–CIAE, Bhopal, for submission to the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to seek potential funding support was also emphasized.
Two technical sessions held on the first day featured expert presentations by scientists from ICAR-NDRI, Karnal; Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Delhi; ICAR–CIAE, Bhopal; ICAR-IARI, New Delhi; CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru; ICAR-CIFT, Kochi; ICAR-NRC on Meat; SKUAST-Kashmir; and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The presentations highlighted the importance of the use of smart and intelligent packaging materials, freshness indicators, biodegradable and active packaging systems, quality monitoring tools, sensor-based technologies, and emerging commercialization opportunities.
Speakers also highlighted the technologies developed at their respective institutions, discussed their Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), commercialization status, and identified research and industrial gaps requiring collaborative interventions. The second day of the brainstorming session was chaired by Dr. Alka Rao, Director, CSIR-IMTECH, Chandigarh. The programme featured four student oral presentations followed by an invited lecture from a scientist of Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
The event also witnessed discussion over commercialization opportunities in intelligent packaging, market demand for freshness indicators, biodegradable plastics, testing methodologies, material composition, and concerns related to microplastics.
31 July 2026
30 July 2026
30 July 2026
30 July 2026