Mumbai, Aug 20: Maharashtra is advancing its ambitious ‘Farm to Foreign’ initiative to connect farmers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and the global fashion industry, with the objective of positioning the state as a leading textile and export hub, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said.
Shinde was speaking as the Chief Guest at the ‘Farm to Foreign Conclave 2026’, organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai.
Organised by the ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council under the theme “Advancing India’s 5F Vision for Sustainable & Traceable Textile Value Chains,” the conclave brought together policymakers, industry leaders, manufacturers, sustainability experts and other key stakeholders to discuss the future of India’s textile sector.
The discussions focused on strengthening India’s global competitiveness, accelerating climate-resilient fibre production and developing traceable and circular textile value chains in line with the Government’s 5F Vision — Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
Maharashtra’s 5F Vision
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, Shinde said Maharashtra is adopting a comprehensive 5F approach to transform agricultural resources into globally competitive products.
The objective, he said, is not merely to process agricultural produce within the state, but to create globally recognised brands from Maharashtra’s cotton, silk, jute and other agricultural products.
“From Maharashtra’s farms to the world’s markets, our textile journey must create value at every step. Our vision is not merely to produce more, but to produce sustainably, traceably and competitively so that every fibre carries the strength of our farmers, the innovation of our industry and the identity of a New India. The 5F vision gives us the roadmap to turn Maharashtra into a global hub for textiles, innovation and value-added manufacturing.”
Building on Maharashtra’s Textile Legacy
Maharashtra has a long and distinguished association with the textile industry, with Mumbai’s historic textile mills playing an important role in the city’s economic development.
Building on this legacy, the state is developing modern infrastructure and investment opportunities to give the textile sector a new direction. Shinde highlighted projects such as the PM MITRA Park in Nagpur and the Amravati Textile Cluster, which are expected to provide fresh impetus to the sector, create employment and strengthen Maharashtra’s economy.
He also emphasised that the future of manufacturing will depend not only on increasing production but also on building industries that are green, digital and transparent.
The state is promoting ready-made garment clusters in major textile centres such as Ichalkaranji and Bhiwandi, creating new opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and investment.
Focus on Women’s Empowerment
The state is also focusing on equipping women with modern tailoring and garment-making skills through initiatives linked to the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme.
By connecting skill development with employment and entrepreneurship, these initiatives aim to create opportunities for women to achieve greater financial independence and participate more actively in the textile and garment economy.
Taking Paithani and Kolhapuri Products to Global Markets
Maharashtra’s rich traditional craftsmanship is also being positioned for international markets. Iconic products such as Paithani sarees and Kolhapuri footwear are being promoted as products capable of carrying the state’s cultural identity to global consumers.
A Textile, Craft and Cultural Museum is being developed at the historic India United Mill site in Byculla. The museum will showcase Maharashtra’s rich textile, handicraft and cultural heritage to visitors from India and around the world.
World-Class Infrastructure to Strengthen Exports
Maharashtra’s expanding infrastructure network is expected to further strengthen the state’s position as a global manufacturing and export destination.
Key infrastructure projects, including the Samruddhi Mahamarg, Navi Mumbai International Airport and JNPA port, will improve connectivity and help products manufactured in Maharashtra reach domestic and international markets more efficiently.
Milind Hardikar, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council, said Maharashtra is uniquely positioned to advance India’s 5F vision because of its strong industrial base, entrepreneurial ecosystem, manufacturing capabilities, logistics infrastructure and vibrant textile sector.
“Maharashtra has an important role to play in this journey. With a strong industrial base, entrepreneurial ecosystem, manufacturing capabilities, world-class logistics infrastructure and a vibrant textile sector, Maharashtra is uniquely positioned to advance India’s 5F vision through sustainable manufacturing, innovation, investments and export-oriented growth.”
Hardikar further said the 5F vision is more than a sectoral roadmap and represents a blueprint for building an integrated, future-ready textile value chain.
He highlighted the growing importance of responsible sourcing, environmental sustainability, social accountability and end-to-end supply-chain visibility in determining global competitiveness.
“India has all the ingredients to lead this transformation. What we need now is greater integration, stronger collaboration and a collective commitment to turning sustainability from a compliance requirement into a source of competitive advantage.”
Collaborative Action for a Sustainable Textile Ecosystem
In her concluding remarks, Smt. Chinmayee Deulgaonkar, Chair, Sustainability Sector, ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council, reaffirmed the importance of coordinated action among policymakers, industry, technology providers, sustainability stakeholders and other participants.
She emphasised that collaboration will be critical to advancing India’s 5F Vision and creating a resilient, sustainable and globally competitive textile ecosystem.
During the conclave, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also released the ASSOCHAM Knowledge Paper, prepared in collaboration with Control Union. The publication reflects ASSOCHAM’s continued engagement with industry and policymakers on key issues shaping India’s economic and industrial growth.
The Farm to Foreign Conclave 2026 concluded with a strong emphasis on integrating agriculture, manufacturing, fashion, technology, sustainability and global trade to create a future-ready textile ecosystem and strengthen Maharashtra’s contribution to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat @2047.