Maharashtra’s ‘Farm to Foreign’ Initiative Targets Global Competitiveness for Textile Industry

5F vision links Maharashtra’s farms, textile manufacturing and global markets through sustainable and traceable value chains

Maharashtra’s ‘Farm to Foreign’ initiative seeks to connect farmers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and the global fashion industry as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s textile and export ecosystem. The initiative was discussed at the ‘Farm to Foreign Conclave 2026’, organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai.

The conclave, organised by the ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council under the theme “Advancing India’s 5F Vision for Sustainable & Traceable Textile Value Chains,” brought together policymakers, industry leaders, manufacturers, sustainability experts and other stakeholders to discuss sustainable, traceable and circular textile value chains.

Maharashtra focuses on the 5F textile value chain

Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who was the chief guest at the conclave, said the state’s ‘Farm to Foreign’ approach is aimed at positioning Maharashtra as a major textile and export hub by connecting different stages of the textile value chain.

The initiative follows the Government’s 5F Vision—Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign. Discussions at the conclave covered measures to strengthen India’s global competitiveness, support climate-resilient fibre production and develop traceable and circular textile ecosystems.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, Shinde said Maharashtra is following the 5F approach: Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion and Fashion to Foreign.

The objective, he said, is to move beyond processing agricultural produce within the state and develop globally recognised brands from Maharashtra’s cotton, silk, jute and other agricultural products.

Textile infrastructure and manufacturing expansion

Maharashtra has a long association with the textile industry, with Mumbai’s development as the country’s financial capital historically linked to its textile mills. The state is now focusing on infrastructure and investment opportunities as part of efforts to further develop its textile sector.

Shinde highlighted projects including the PM MITRA Park in Nagpur and the Amravati Textile Cluster, which are expected to provide fresh impetus to the textile industry, create employment and contribute to Maharashtra’s economy.

He also stressed the importance of green, digital and transparent manufacturing alongside production growth. Ready-made garment clusters are being promoted in textile centres including Ichalkaranji and Bhiwandi, with the initiatives focused on employment, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities.

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.”

Focus on women’s skills and employment

The state is also working to provide women with modern tailoring and garment-making skills through initiatives linked to the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme.

The programmes aim to connect skill development with employment and entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for women to achieve financial independence.

Paithani and Kolhapuri products eye international markets

Maharashtra is also promoting traditional products such as Paithani sarees and Kolhapuri footwear for international markets.

A Textile, Craft and Cultural Museum is being developed at the historic India United Mill site in Byculla. The proposed museum will present Maharashtra’s textile, handicraft and cultural heritage to visitors from India and across the world.

Connectivity to support textile exports

The state’s infrastructure development is another component of its manufacturing and export strategy. The Samruddhi Mahamarg, Navi Mumbai International Airport and JNPA port are expected to improve connectivity and facilitate faster movement of products manufactured in Maharashtra to domestic and international markets.

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.”

Call for coordinated action

Smt. Chinmayee Deulgaonkar, Chair, Sustainability Sector, ASSOCHAM Maharashtra State Council, in her concluding remarks, reaffirmed the importance of coordinated action among policymakers, industry, technology providers, sustainability stakeholders and other participants to advance India’s 5F Vision and build a resilient, sustainable and globally competitive textile ecosystem.

During the conclave, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also released the ASSOCHAM Knowledge Paper in collaboration with Control Union. The paper highlights the chamber’s continued engagement with industry and policymakers on issues shaping India’s economic and industrial growth.