Food Forward 2026

India's food system loses a significant amount of food before it reaches consumers and wastes a substantial quantity after it does. Post-harvest losses are estimated at 68.9 million metric tonnes, costing nearly INR 1,527 billion annually, while the country generates 78.2 million tonnes of food waste every year. Together, food loss and food waste reduce farmer incomes, affect access to nutritious food, waste valuable natural resources, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Addressing this challenge requires stronger evidence, greater awareness, and coordinated action across the food value chain. Building on the success of Food Forward 2025, which brought together over 1,100 registered participants and experts from government, academia, civil society, and industry, WRI India is launching Food Forward 2026 under the Friends of Champions 12.3 India initiative.

The three-part webinar series will showcase emerging evidence, policy perspectives, and innovative solutions to reduce food loss and food waste in India. The first webinar begins on International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste with the hybrid launch of WRI India's knowledge product on post-harvest losses in soybean, onion, and custard apple in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, presenting new evidence on where losses occur and what can be done to reduce them.

The second session will unpack what India's Solid Waste Management 2026 Rules mean for bulk waste generators and explore practical approaches and tools to prevent and manage food waste.

The final session will look at how artificial intelligence is helping reduce food loss and food waste across the supply chain and what it will take to scale these solutions in India.

Join us as we bring together evidence, innovation, and diverse perspectives to move the conversation from identifying the problem to accelerating practical solutions for a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable food system.