As India stands at the crossroads of food insecurity, climate stress, and a rapidly evolving consumer market, the role of agriculture is under deeper scrutiny than ever before. With farming forming the bedrock of national food security and rural livelihoods, it is imperative that innovation begins at the source—the farm. In this context, focused and purpose-led Research & Development (R&D) emerges as a powerful enabler of sustainable change.
In this article, Swarn Singh, Director – R&D at Kellanova India, delves into how a thoughtful, farm-to-fork R&D approach can bridge gaps between nutrition, sustainability, and farmer empowerment. Drawing from Kellanova India’s on-ground work—from integrating traditional grains like millets into modern breakfast formats to farmer-centric initiatives like the “Seed to Mouth” program—the piece highlights the value of locally-rooted innovation, collaborative ecosystems, and strategic partnerships with leading agricultural institutions.
How Focused R&D Can Transform Agriculture Through Nutrition, Sustainability, and Climate Resilience
Farm is the starting point for any food product. This fundamental connection makes agriculture, and the food industry deeply interlinked, with the quality of agricultural produce directly shaping the quality of the final food product. At Kellanova R&D, we recognise this vital relationship and invest significant effort in supporting agriculture and farming communities—because nurturing the farm is the first step to nourishing the world.
The world today is grappling with intertwined challenges: food insecurity, climate change, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures. For India—where agriculture forms the backbone of rural livelihoods and national food security—these challenges are especially urgent.
At Kellanova India, we believe that focused, purpose-led Research & Development (R&D) holds the key to driving meaningful improvement in agriculture—not only to improve productivity but to create solutions that are nutritionally relevant, environmentally sustainable, and economically inclusive.
R&D with Purpose: Innovating for India’s Diverse Breakfast Plate
The Indian breakfast market exemplifies this potential. Unlike many global markets, India’s breakfast landscape is not a battleground between traditional and modern choices—it’s a space where both coexist and flourish. As consumer lifestyles evolve, demand for convenient, nutritious options like ready to eat cereals is growing alongside timeless favourites like idlis, parathas, and poha. There’s enough room—and need—for both to expand.
Recognising this, Kellanova India has consistently focused on local innovation rooted in consumer insight. Our introduction of nutrient-rich millets like ragi, jowar, and bajra in many of our product formulations starting 2023 reflects this commitment—bringing together the time-honoured goodness of these traditional grains with formats that resonate with evolving consumer preferences. Similarly, our Millet Muesli and No Added Sugar Muesli variants tap into the health-conscious Indian adult segment, aligning with the country's renewed emphasis on millets as 'super grains'."
At Kellanova R&D, we are uniquely positioned to fuse our in-depth understanding of consumers and market trends with the latest science in ingredients and processes. Creating a win-win of taste and nutrition for our consumers is central to our R&D philosophy. Our iconic product, Chocos, exemplifies this approach—delivering multigrain nutrition, high protein, high fibre, and nine essential vitamins and minerals, all wrapped in a chocolate taste that delights kids. This design approach remains consistent across our entire product portfolio.
Strengthening the Agricultural Foundation: Farmer-Centric Innovation
True transformation, however, cannot stop at the factory or the supermarket shelf—it must begin on the farm. Our Seed to Mouth initiative is designed to empower farmers with the tools, better farming practices, and knowledge required to build sustainable and profitable futures.
India’s maize growers face persistent risks—unpredictable weather, limited access to technology, and low yields. Through targeted R&D interventions, we are addressing these challenges head-on. This includes promoting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), offering advisory platforms, and connecting farmers to critical government schemes—helping them make smarter, data-driven decisions about sowing, irrigation, and harvesting. The result: higher productivity, better yields, and greater resilience against climate risks.
Additionally, our R&D team has been actively collaborating with key agricultural and technology institutions across the country to bring the best solutions to both farmers and consumers. Notable partnerships include the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR, Hyderabad), the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT, Hyderabad). These collaborations have been mutually beneficial and continue to grow stronger over time.
A Playbook for Industry: Lessons in Scalable Impact
Kellanova India’s journey offers valuable lessons for businesses aiming to drive meaningful transformation in the agri-food sector. First, it is essential to embed nutrition and sustainability into the very core of R&D goals, ensuring that every innovation delivers not just commercial success but also societal benefit by enhancing nutritional value and promoting environmental stewardship. Second, large-scale change must begin with localised pilots. By tailoring initiatives to specific regions—such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Odisha—companies can develop scalable and replicable models that address India’s diverse agricultural and climatic realities. Third, and most importantly, transformation requires building collaborative ecosystems. The challenges in agriculture are too complex for any single player to solve alone; partnerships with farmers, agri-tech start-ups, research bodies, and government agencies are vital to amplifying impact, ensuring relevance, and driving sustainable, long-term progress.
The Road Ahead: R&D as a Force for Good
As India charts its agricultural future, the private sector has both an opportunity and a responsibility to lead responsibly. Focused R&D is not a cost—it is a strategic investment in long-term resilience, public health, and sustainable economic growth.
At Kellanova India, we remain deeply committed to this purpose-driven path—where every innovation nourishes not just individuals but also farming communities and the planet, we all share.
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