NDFC(I) is leading India’s nutrition movement, promoting nuts and dry fruits as everyday essentials through access, awareness, and industry collaboration.
NDFC(I)
In a country where conversations around nutrition often revolve around calories, supplements, and diet trends, a quiet but significant revolution is underway-one that seeks to return Indians to the basics of wholesome, accessible nourishment. Leading this shift is the Nuts and Dry Fruits Council (India), or NDFC(I), a body that has become the nerve centre of India’s nut and dry fruit industry, bringing together growers, importers, processors, retailers, and policy voices under a single umbrella..
At a time when India stands at the crossroads of rising health consciousness and evolving dietary patterns, NDFC(I) has emerged as both an industry convener and a public health advocate-one that envisions nutrition not as a privilege but as a universal right.
The vision of collective strength
Founded on the principle that “nuts build strength, nutrition builds people, and a well-nourished population builds a stronger nation,” NDFC(I) operates at the intersection of policy, trade, and public awareness. Its mission is inclusive-to ensure that every Indian, regardless of income or geography, has reliable access to quality nutrition.
Under the leadership of Gunjan Jain, President of NDFC(I) and Managing Director of Nutraj (VKC Nuts), the council is redefining the perception of nuts and dry fruits-from festive indulgence to everyday nutrition. His goal is to make healthy eating a cultural norm rather than an occasional choice.
“Nutrition must move beyond conversations and become a shared national movement. Our mission is to make India not just the largest consumer of nuts and dry fruits, but the healthiest,” said Jain.
Adding to this, Bola Rahul Kamath, Vice President of NDFC(I), said, “India’s nutritional landscape is changing rapidly, and NDFC(I) is working to ensure that nuts and dry fruits become part of mainstream diets through awareness, affordability, and access. Our focus is on linking farmers, processors, and policymakers so that the benefits of this industry reach both the grassroots producer and the end consumer. This is not just about market growth-it’s about building a nutrition-secure nation.”
From trade body to nutrition think-tank
What distinguishes NDFC(I) is its dual focus on the economics of food and the ethics of nourishment. While most trade bodies operate within narrow business frameworks, NDFC(I) consciously spans both the marketplace and policy space. It collaborates with ministries, health institutions, and trade partners to balance responsible imports with domestic production, ensuring both affordability and accessibility.
India’s demand for nuts and dry fruits far exceeds local supply, but that demand also presents an opportunity-to scale up cultivation, empower farmer collectives, and modernise processing chains. Through policy advocacy, capacity-building, and consumer awareness drives, NDFC(I) is fostering a resilient and self-reliant nutritional ecosystem.
Its flagship events, such as MEWA India, have become knowledge-sharing platforms that promote innovation in healthy food practices. The Council also supports women-led and small-scale enterprises in this growing sector, ensuring that growth benefits are shared equitably across the value chain.
Redefining health, one plate at a time
India’s shifting food habits-driven by urbanisation, fast-paced lifestyles, and processed foods-have fuelled a rise in lifestyle disorders. The Council’s initiatives go beyond business; they aim to spread awareness that natural nutrition can prevent many conditions that modern medicine can only manage. Nuts, as supported by research, are rich in micronutrients, good fats, and plant-based proteins that enhance immunity and heart health.
NDFC(I)’s awareness campaigns focus on repositioning nuts and dry fruits as everyday foods rather than festive luxuries. The idea is to make healthy eating aspirational yet affordable-through schools, workplaces, and wellness initiatives.
As Gunjan Jain often says, the aim is not just to sell products but to drive a movement-connecting India’s traditional wisdom about food with modern nutritional science, ensuring that the nation’s progress story includes health as a cornerstone.
Empowering industry and farmers alike
The Council’s work extends beyond retail and trade. By advocating for balanced import regulations, farmer training, and global best practices, NDFC(I) is helping shape the future of India’s food security. Collaborations with government bodies and private partners ensure transparent trade systems and promote ethical sourcing and traceability.
Its inclusive approach allows small farmers and local processors to find a place in the value chain. In a sector often affected by import volatility and price swings, this stability fosters long-term sustainability and rural participation.
Gunjan Jain’s leadership blends entrepreneurship with empathy. Known for transforming India’s nut and dry fruit trade through innovation, he now channels that same energy into a broader mission-nation-building through nutrition.
A bridge between industry, government, and people
At its heart, NDFC(I) functions as a bridge-linking policymakers, farmers, and consumers. The Council advocates for simplified regulations, responsible marketing, and transparent practices that build public trust.
Its core principles-access, equity, and collaboration-guide every initiative. Access ensures nutritious foods are affordable; equity ensures that benefits reach across communities and genders; and collaboration ensures that public health is seen as a shared responsibility rather than a fragmented pursuit.
With India’s growing middle class and heightened awareness around health, the nut and dry fruit sector is poised for strong growth. The challenge lies in aligning this expansion with sustainability and quality-an area where NDFC(I) continues to play a decisive role.
Looking ahead: Nutrition as a national priority
India’s path to becoming a global powerhouse depends on a healthy, productive population. As envisioned by NDFC(I), nutrition must be recognised as a national priority, not a personal choice. By integrating nuts and dry fruits into public nutrition programmes, supporting local production, and maintaining balanced imports, the Council is building a “Nutrition-Positive India.”
Its motto-“Nuts. Nutrition. Nation.”-is more than a tagline; it is a mission statement for collective progress.
As the world moves toward preventive health and functional foods, India’s leadership in this space is both timely and necessary. NDFC(I)’s efforts align with a larger national goal-ensuring that health becomes an integral part of India’s growth story.
Conclusion
The story of NDFC(I) mirrors India’s own-rooted in tradition, yet guided by innovation; local in spirit, yet global in vision. By merging industry growth with social purpose, the Council is redefining how India nourishes its people.
Under Gunjan Jain’s stewardship and with leaders like Bola Rahul Kamath steering its vision, NDFC(I) continues to prove that a healthy India is not built in hospitals, but in kitchens, communities, and collective effort-one plate, one household, and one life at a time.
For more information please visit:
https://ndfci.org/
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