Srinagar, June 5 -- South Asia stands at a critical turning point in its food systems journey. Despite being a significant agricultural region with rich agro-biodiversity, too much value is still lost between the farm and the consumer - a missed opportunity for farmers, jobs and nutrition.

India reflects this paradox. According to the FAO, it is the world's largest producer of milk and pulses, and the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables. Yet significant food losses persist due to gaps in post-harvest handling, storage, logistics, and processing, undermining progress toward global development priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is not just inefficiency - it is a missed opportunity. Every tonne...