Press Release

India’s Food Processing Sector Gears Up for a Tech-Driven, Sustainable Future: ASSOCHAM-PwC Report

ASSOCHAM–PwC report stresses the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in enhancing food safety, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable food systems.

In a groundbreaking joint knowledge report, ASSOCHAM, in collaboration with Primus Partners, has spotlighted Odisha as a frontrunner in India’s AI-powered industrial future. Titled "AI-Driven Manufacturing: Innovation, Efficiency & Sustainable Growth," the report outlines how Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day catalyst reshaping the manufacturing landscape. It reveals how Odisha’s proactive governance, robust industrial base, and emerging digital infrastructure are positioning the state as a model for AI-integrated growth.

The report finds that over 30% of Indian manufacturers have already adopted AI, with global projections valuing the AI-driven manufacturing sector at $230 billion by 2034. Odisha is setting benchmarks with initiatives like the Odisha AI Policy 2025 and the Odisha AI Mission, aimed at embedding AI across key sectors such as steel, mining, smart ports, and renewable energy.

According to the report, AI is not just improving productivity and cost-efficiency—it is also advancing India’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. AI systems are enabling energy savings, waste reduction, real-time emission monitoring, and enhanced worker safety. These innovations are helping manufacturers meet global sustainability benchmarks while improving business performance. The report stresses that AI will be crucial in achieving India’s industrial decarbonization targets and building a circular economy.

To accelerate AI adoption, the report recommends the launch of a flagship AI Manufacturing Mission, the establishment of AI Centers of Excellence with premier institutions like IIT Bhubaneswar and NIT Rourkela, and the creation of Digital Manufacturing Parks in regions like Kalinganagar and Jharsuguda. It also calls for targeted support to MSMEs through subsidized AI trials, the creation of AI facilitation cells in District Industries Centres, and skill development programs integrated into ITIs and polytechnics.

This report is not just a policy document, but a call to action. It urges policymakers, industry leaders, and academic institutions to align and execute scalable AI-led strategies. “Odisha has a strategic opportunity to lead India’s next industrial revolution,” said Mr. Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, Chairman of the ASSOCHAM Odisha Council. “By leveraging AI responsibly and inclusively, we can build a manufacturing ecosystem that is intelligent, sustainable, and proudly Made in India.”