- The 'Farm to Foreign' initiative will take Maharashtra's textile sector to the global stage
- The doors of the global market will be opened to the textile industry of Maharashtra
- Eknath Shinde emphasis on 'Farm to Foreign'
Mumbai: Maharashtra's 'Farm to Foreign' initiative aims to connect farmers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and the global fashion industry, which will position Maharashtra as a major textile and export hub, said Deputy Chief Minister of the state Eknath Shinde. He was speaking at the 'Farm to Foreign Conclave 2026' organized by 'The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India' (ASSOCHAM) at Jio World Center in Mumbai.
Assocham Maharashtra Organized by the Rajya Parishad under the theme “Advancing India's 5F Vision for Sustainable and Traceable Textile Value Chains”, the conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, manufacturers, sustainability experts and key stakeholders. The initiative, aligned with the central government's '5F Vision'—Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign, discussed strategies to strengthen India's global competitiveness, accelerate production of climate-friendly yarns and create a transparent and circular textile ecosystem.
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Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Developed India @2047' goal, Shinde said Maharashtra is implementing the 5F approach—Farm to Fiber, Fiber to Factory, Factory to Fashion and Fashion to Foreign. The objective is not only to process agricultural commodities in the state, but also to create globally recognized brands from Maharashtra's cotton, silk, jute and other agricultural products.
Extension of Maharashtra's rich textile tradition: Maharashtra has a long and glorious tradition associated with textile industry. Mumbai's rise as the country's financial capital was directly linked to its historic textile mills. Building on this tradition, the state government is now creating modern infrastructure and investment opportunities to give a new direction to the textile sector. Projects like 'PM Mitra Park' and 'Amravati Textile Cluster' in Nagpur will give a new impetus to the textile industry, generate employment and strengthen the economy of Maharashtra, Shinde said.
He emphasized that the future of manufacturing will depend on making the industry green, digital and transparent, not just expanding production. The state government is promoting ready-made garment clusters in major textile hubs like Ichalkaranji and Bhiwandi, opening up new avenues of employment, entrepreneurship and investment.
Honorable Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde said, “From the fields of Maharashtra to the world market, our textile journey must create value at every step. Our aim is not just to produce more, but to produce in a sustainable, transparent and competitive manner, so that every thread reflects the strength of our farmers, the innovation of our industry and the identity of a new India. The 5F Vision provides a blueprint for making Maharashtra a global hub for textiles, innovation and value-added manufacturing.”
Women Empowerment: The state government is also focusing on imparting modern sewing and textile skills to women through initiatives linked to the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme. By linking skill development with employment and entrepreneurship, these initiatives are creating opportunities for women to become economically independent.
Paithni and Kolhapuri products in global market: Traditional products of Maharashtra, including the iconic Paithni sarees and Kolhapuri chappals, are being promoted in the international market. A 'Textile, Craft and Cultural Museum' is being developed on the site of the historic India United Mill at Byculla. The museum will showcase the rich textile, handicraft and cultural heritage of Maharashtra to tourists from India and around the world.
World Class Infrastructure: Maharashtra's expanding infrastructure network will further strengthen the state's position as a global manufacturing and export hub. The Samriddhi Highway, Navi Mumbai International Airport and JNPA Port will significantly improve connectivity and allow products manufactured in Maharashtra to reach domestic as well as international markets faster.
Highlighting the state's strategic position and readiness, Assocham Maharashtra State Council President Milind Hardikar said, “Maharashtra's role in this journey is crucial. With a strong industrial base, entrepreneurial ecosystem, manufacturing capacity, world-class logistics infrastructure and a thriving textile sector, Maharashtra is poised to drive India's 5F vision through sustainable manufacturing, innovation, investment and export-oriented growth.”
He added, “Farm to fiber to factory to fashion to foreign, the 5F vision is not just a sector-specific roadmap; it is an outline for building an integrated, future-ready textile value chain. In the coming years, global competitiveness will not only be determined by capacity, productivity and product diversity, but also by how responsibly we source raw materials, manage our impact on the environment, maintain social responsibility and across the entire supply chain.” How we ensure transparency will determine. India has all the ingredients to lead this change. What we need now is greater integration, stronger collaboration and a collective commitment to turn sustainability into a source of competitive advantage rather than just compliance.”
Mrs. Chinmayi Deulgaonkar, Chairperson, Sustainability Sector, Assocham Maharashtra State Council, in her concluding remarks highlighted the importance of coordinated action among policy makers, industry, technology providers and all other stakeholders to take forward India's 5F vision and create a viable, sustainable and globally competitive textile ecosystem.
During the conference, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also released the 'Assocham Knowledge Paper' prepared in collaboration with 'Control Union'. The report highlights the Chamber's continued engagement with industry and policymakers on issues shaping India's economic and industrial development.
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