Lucknow, Feb 26: In a significant move to strengthen food supply systems for the hospitality sector in North India, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI), the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India and Uttar Pradesh Hotel And Restaurant Association (UPHRA) in coordination with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, through the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries, today hosted an interactive stakeholder dialogue on 25 February 2026 at Hotel Taj, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, in the auspicious presence of Dr. K. V. Raju, Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Shri Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Additional Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Animal Husbandry Dairy Development & Fisheries Department Lucknow. The event brought together hotel and restaurant owners, caterers, industry representatives, and government officials.
The discussion focused on building stronger coordination between the hospitality ecosystem and public institutions to support more efficient and reliable supply linkages for quality milk and milk products, fresh fish, poultry, and allied products. The initiative is aimed at enabling long-term planning, improving procurement efficiency, and creating a more structured framework for collaboration across stakeholders.
With Uttar Pradesh emerging as a key market and supply base for the broader North Indian food service and hospitality ecosystem, the session highlighted the importance of regional partnerships in strengthening value chains, improving consistency in supply, and supporting local producers and enterprises.
The dialogue brought together senior government officials, policy advisors, and industry stakeholders for discussions on sector opportunities, supply chain integration, and institutional support. The platform also enabled direct interaction between hospitality businesses and government departments on practical challenges and future collaboration.
A key highlight of the day was the launch of a new publication prepared by the FHRAI Centre of Excellence for Research in Tourism & Hospitality (CERTH), titled “Growing Together: Where Farmers Shape Future of Hospitality”. The report, themed around “Empowering Farmers through FPO–Hospitality Linkages”, focuses on building structured linkages between Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and the hospitality sector to strengthen local sourcing, rural livelihoods, and responsible tourism outcomes.
Mr Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), “The dialogue in Lucknow was a timely and constructive step toward strengthening hospitality-linked supply systems in North India. Uttar Pradesh has the scale, market access, and institutional momentum to play a leading role in building stronger linkages between producers and the food service industry. For hotels, restaurants, and caterers, dependable quality and supply are essential, and such platforms help create practical pathways for long-term collaboration. We appreciate this initiative by the Government of Uttar Pradesh and look forward to continued engagement that supports industry growth as well as local livelihoods. I would also like to acknowledge Ms. Ankita Jaiswal’s contribution to the FPO–Hospitality Linkages work, and the publication launched today, which brings an important sustainable sourcing perspective to the sector.”
Ms Ankita Jaiswal, Chairperson, Sustainable & Responsible Tourism, HRANI & UPHRA shared, “This FPO–Hospitality Linkages initiative is deeply personal to me. I have come to believe that tourism is not only about destinations and infrastructure. In many ways, it is about food, farmers, and the communities that sustain us. Connecting farmers directly with hotels, restaurants, and catering establishments is a step toward reimagining how we source, consume, and value food. For me, sustainable tourism must be rooted in local ecosystems and shared prosperity, where farmers and hospitality professionals grow together as partners.”
Shri Jay Kumar Gupta, General Manager, SIDBI, Lucknow Regional Office, commented, “SIDBI remains committed to strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s hospitality ecosystem through need-based financial solutions. Through initiatives such as the MORE scheme for modernization and upgradation, the EDGE scheme for DG set financing, and 100% solar financing support, we aim to enhance competitiveness and sustainability across the hotel and restaurant industry.”
Additionally, the event set the tone for the Meen Mahotsav & Aqua Expo 2026, which will be later held in Lucknow on 27–28 February 2026, and further spotlighted fisheries, aquaculture, and allied sector opportunities in Uttar Pradesh and the wider North Indian region.
The Conclave was supported by valued partners, including ICICI Lombard, SIDBI, Axis Bank, Kimberly Clark Professional, Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic, Yanolja and Aatithya, whose contributions played a pivotal role in the success of the event.