Maharashtra’s ‘Farm to Foreign’ Initiative Targets Global Competitiveness for Textile Industry
Maharashtra is looking to strengthen its position as a global textile and export hub through its ‘Farm to Foreign’ initiative, connecting farmers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and the international fashion industry across an integrated textile value chain.
The vision was highlighted by Shri Eknath Shinde, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, while addressing the ‘Farm to Foreign Conclave 2026’, organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) at 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 stakeholders.
The discussions focused on advancing the Government’s 5F Vision: Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign, with emphasis on climate-resilient fibre production, sustainable manufacturing, traceability, circularity and export competitiveness.
From Farm to Global Fashion Markets
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, Shinde highlighted Maharashtra’s focus on the 5F approach, extending from agricultural production to global markets.
The objective is to move beyond processing agricultural produce within the state and create globally recognised brands using Maharashtra’s cotton, silk, jute and other agricultural resources.
Shri Eknath Shinde, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said:
“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-standing connection with the textile industry, with Mumbai’s historic textile mills playing an important role in the city’s economic development.
The state is now seeking to build on this legacy through new infrastructure and investment opportunities. Projects including the PM MITRA Park in Nagpur and the Amravati Textile Cluster are expected to support textile manufacturing, create employment and contribute to economic growth.
The state is also promoting ready-made garment clusters in textile centres such as Ichalkaranji and Bhiwandi, creating opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and investment.
According to Shinde, future manufacturing competitiveness will depend not only on production capacity but also on industries becoming greener, more digital and more transparent.
Empowering Women Through Textile Skills
Women’s skill development is another focus area, with initiatives linked to the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme aimed at providing modern tailoring and garment-making skills.
By connecting skill development with employment and entrepreneurship, these initiatives seek to create opportunities for women to build greater economic independence.
Taking Paithani and Kolhapuri to Global Markets
Maharashtra’s textile and craft heritage is also being positioned for international markets. Traditional products such as Paithani sarees and Kolhapuri footwear are being promoted as part of the state’s efforts to expand the global reach of its cultural and creative industries.
A Textile, Craft and Cultural Museum is also being developed at the historic India United Mill site in Byculla. The proposed museum will showcase Maharashtra’s textile, handicraft and cultural heritage to visitors from India and abroad.
Infrastructure to Strengthen Textile Exports
Maharashtra’s expanding infrastructure network is expected to further support its ambitions as a manufacturing and export destination.
The Samruddhi Mahamarg, Navi Mumbai International Airport and JNPA port are expected to improve connectivity and logistics, enabling products manufactured in the state to reach domestic and international markets more efficiently.
Milind Hardikar, Chairman of the ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council, said:
“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.”
He also added:
“The 5F vision, Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign is far more than a sectoral roadmap; it is a blueprint for building an integrated, future-ready textile value chain. Going forward, global competitiveness will be defined not only by capacity, productivity and product diversity, but by how responsibly we source our raw materials, manage our environmental footprint, uphold social accountability and ensure end-to-end visibility across the supply chain. 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.”
Strengthening a Sustainable Textile Ecosystem
In her concluding remarks, Smt. Chinmayee Deulgaonkar, Chair, Sustainability Sector, ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council, emphasised the need for coordinated action among policymakers, industry stakeholders, technology providers and sustainability experts to advance the 5F vision.
During the conclave, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also released the ASSOCHAM Knowledge Paper, developed in collaboration with Control Union, highlighting the chamber’s continued engagement with industry and policymakers on issues influencing India’s economic and industrial development.
The Farm to Foreign initiative positions sustainability, traceability, infrastructure, innovation and value-added manufacturing as key pillars in Maharashtra’s strategy to strengthen its textile industry and expand its presence in global markets.
