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Sachin Thorat, Director – Agriculture, McCain Foods India
As sustainable sourcing moves from intent to imperative in India’s food processing sector, companies with deep-rooted farm partnerships are setting new benchmarks. In this interview with NUFFOODS Spectrum, Sachin Thorat, Director – Agriculture, McCain Foods India, shares insights into how the company is strengthening farm resilience, ensuring supply consistency, and embedding sustainability into procurement decisions—while navigating climate variability, scaling challenges, and evolving industry expectations. Edited excerpts;
What does the FICCI recognition mean for McCain Foods India’s long-term sustainable sourcing strategy?
The FICCI recognition reinforces our long-standing belief that sustainable sourcing is not a peripheral activity but central to how we operate in India. For McCain Foods India, it validates a model we have been building for over two decades—one that places farmers at the heart of our value chain. The recognition reflects our commitment to investing in agronomy, partnerships, and systems that strengthen farm resilience while ensuring consistent, high-quality raw material for our business over the long term.
How do long-term farmer partnerships support sustainability and supply security for McCain?
Long-term partnerships enable trust, continuity, and mutual investment. For farmers, it provides confidence to adopt new practices and technologies. For McCain, it ensures supply security, traceability, and consistent quality. These partnerships allow us to plan better, invest in farm-level improvements, and jointly address challenges, creating shared value across the supply chain.
How is sustainable sourcing shaping competitive advantage in the food processing industry?
Sustainable sourcing is increasingly becoming a strategic differentiator. Companies that invest early in responsible sourcing models are better positioned to manage supply risks, meet evolving customer expectations, and comply with regulatory requirements. For McCain, our integrated approach to sustainability strengthens brand trust, improves operational resilience, and enhances long-term competitiveness in a dynamic food ecosystem.
How does McCain’s farm-level sustainability strategy ensure consistent raw material quality?
Consistency in quality begins at the farm. McCain’s farm-level sustainability strategy emphasises seed quality, agronomic discipline, and harvest practices that directly influence processing outcomes, while also prioritising food and people safety. Close engagement with growers throughout the crop cycle helps ensure adherence to safety protocols, responsible input use, and uniform crop quality. This integrated approach reduces variability, enhances processing efficiency, and ensures safe, high-quality raw material for our operations.
How should food companies assess ROI from sustainable sourcing initiatives?
While sustainability initiatives often require upfront investment, the returns extend beyond immediate financial metrics. Reduced supply volatility, improved yields, lower rejection rates, and stronger farmer relationships contribute to long-term value creation. Companies should evaluate ROI through a combination of economic resilience, risk mitigation, and reputational benefits, rather than viewing sustainability as a cost centre.
Why are traceability and transparency becoming critical in agricultural sourcing today?
Traceability and transparency are becoming non-negotiable as expectations rise from regulators, customers, and global markets. Robust traceability systems help build trust, enable compliance, and support continuous improvement. For McCain, transparency across the supply chain strengthens accountability and allows us to track progress against sustainability goals more effectively.
Will sustainability-led sourcing soon become a baseline requirement in India’s food industry?
We believe sustainability-led sourcing will soon move from being a differentiator to a baseline expectation. As climate risks intensify and stakeholder expectations evolve, responsible sourcing will become essential for business continuity. Companies that proactively embed sustainability into their sourcing models will be better prepared for this transition.
What key lessons from McCain’s sourcing journey can other food companies adopt?
One key lesson is the importance of long-term commitment. Building resilient and responsible supply chains requires patience, local understanding, and collaboration. Investing in farmers, aligning sustainability with business objectives, and measuring impact consistently can help food and beverage companies create shared value while strengthening their supply chains.
Mansi Jamsudkar Padvekar