In a move aimed at strengthening India’s horticulture ecosystem and promoting healthier diets, the Government of India has announced plans to establish a Center of Excellence (CoE) for broccoli, signaling institutional support for the crop’s cultivation, value-chain development, and consumption.

The announcement was made by Dr. P.K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, at the Broccoli Consumption Conference India 2026, held in Mumbai and organized by Sakata Seed India.

The proposed Center of Excellence will focus on improving cultivation practices, expanding cold storage and post-harvest infrastructure, enabling processing, and providing technical training and market linkages for farmers. The initiative also aims to position broccoli as a nutrient-dense “superfood” supporting national health outcomes.

“This is the first time broccoli has been discussed at this scale in India’s vegetable sector,” said Dr. Singh. “The crop holds strong potential in food security, public health, and farmer empowerment—particularly through cluster-based development and assured market linkages.”

Building a Broccoli Ecosystem

Addressing stakeholders across the value chain, Dr. Singh emphasized that while farmers are capable of producing quality crops, market access and infrastructure remain critical gaps. He noted that existing potato cold storage facilities could be adapted for broccoli, and confirmed government support for organic cultivation, cold chains, and processing infrastructure. Collaboration with Japan on technical and varietal support is also under consideration.

The conference brought together policymakers, seed companies, retailers, nutrition experts, chefs, and international voices to chart a roadmap for scaling broccoli consumption in India. Representatives from Sakata Seed India highlighted rising per capita broccoli consumption, driven by growing awareness of its nutritional benefits.

Kenji Takikawa, Managing Director, Sakata Seed India, underlined the importance of connecting cultivation, processing, retail, and consumers into a single ecosystem. He also noted that Japan has designated broccoli as a priority vegetable from fiscal year 2026, underscoring its strategic importance in global nutrition.

From Health to Markets

Speakers at the event highlighted broccoli’s role in addressing malnutrition and lifestyle diseases, while industry leaders stressed the need for retail-level promotion, cold-chain logistics, and value-added products such as frozen broccoli to expand demand.

Drawing on global experience, Javier Barnabé, a pioneer of Spain’s broccoli expansion, shared insights on how coordinated efforts across supermarkets, schools, farmer groups, and government institutions transformed broccoli into a mainstream crop in Europe.

The conference concluded with a call for public–private collaboration, farmer-centric infrastructure development, and sustained consumer awareness to ensure broccoli’s successful integration into India’s agri-food system.

With the proposed Center of Excellence, India takes a decisive step toward diversifying horticulture, improving farm incomes, and aligning agriculture with public health priorities.