Supporting nature-based solutions that increase the availability and affordability of nutritious fruits to contribute to increased consumption by low-income families, sustaining long-term positive change in their food security, nutrition status and health, while mitigating climate change and restoring fruit tree biodiversity for local and global benefits.
Research and innovation
CFI catalyses, promotes and allocates funding for innovative, cross-disciplinary research to fill gaps in understudied areas of tree-based fruit cultivation in India.
Food system integration
CFI works to integrate fruit tree cultivation into government policy, civil society, science initiatives and primary agricultural production in India.
Collaboration
CFI fosters a culture of partnership to identify priority research areas through collaborative consultations. Research is shared through conferences, workshops, policy papers and an upcoming CFI multistakeholder platform.
Knowledge sharing
CFI shares how both people and the planet benefit from the production and consumption of diverse nutritious fruits – sowing the seeds for a more sustainable future.
Role of fruit trees in agroecology
To foster innovation in agroecological and natural farming practices that reduce chemical inputs, improve social equity and promote the production of lesser-known fruit trees to meet the growing demand for sustainable food systems among low-income families.
Climate resilience and mitigation
Promoting varieties and climate-smart fruit cultivation technologies that can withstand the challenges posed by a changing climate, as well as incentives to support mitigation through low-carbon sequestration.
Developing precision management technologies
Technology that enhances water and nutrient use efficiency to minimise input costs for affordable, sustainable and profitable fruit cultivation for smallholder farmers.
Developing new models for fruit cultivation
Developing and promoting new models for fruit tree cultivation across rural, peri-urban and urban areas.
Diversifying and innovating
Providing novel planting materials and an innovative supply chain for value-added products for off-season production and consumption.
Supporting national policy framework
Supporting the creation of policies that encourage investment in research and development benefiting marginal farmers for improved livelihood through enhanced fruit cultivation.
The Center for Fruitful India (CFI) promotes cultivation of nutritious fruits and their easy accessibility for healthy people and supporting planetary health.
The following committees support the implementation of the CFI mandate:
Executive Management: The Executive Management committee provides oversight and guidance to the project’s governance structure in reviewing the project’s achievements and strategic direction. The committee will also bring in external expertise from national and international partners to provide suggestions and recommendations on project evaluation, activity progress and to make management decisions.
Executive Management members: Prem Mathur, Chris Kettle, Smitha Krishnan, Seema Paul, Kamal Bawa and Umesh Maheshwari.
Advisory Board: The Advisory Board advises on CFI Initiative direction and provides long-term vision, policy guidance in the context of national priorities and sensitising policymakers, helping to leverage expertise and resources, and providing support in mobilising co-financing to up-scale the CFI Initiative.
Advisory Board members to be determined.
Scientific Committee: The Scientific Committee provides scientific oversight and guidance to support CFI’s mission through regular interactions and contributions to programme planning, collective scientific strategic thinking, revised project strategies, the implementation of project deliverables and reviewing proposals.
Scientific Committee members to be determined.
CFI will build a long-lasting and reputable evidence base for impact through:
G-1, Block B, NASC Complex, DPS Marg, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012
Phone: +91 11 2584 9000
Email: info@cfi-india.org
